Gaming machine, game control method and game system

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine of the present invention includes: winning combination determination means for determining a winning combination by a lottery; means for generating a first special game state that is a game state advantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is a special winning combination; means for determining the number of game media to be paid out according to a regular winning combination when the determined winning combination is the regular winning combination other than the special winning combination; and means for, when the number of games accumulatively counted each time a game is played reaches a set value set as an object of comparison with the number of games, generating a second special game state where the number of game media to be paid out is determined according to a number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paid out according to the regular winning combination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on PCT/JP2005/015807filed on Aug. 30, 2005. The contents of this application areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a slot machinein which a game is conducted using a game media (game valuable) such asa coin and the like, a game control method for the gaming machine, and agame system comprising the gaming machine and a control device.

2. Discussion of the Background

Conventionally, in a facility in which gaming machines such as a slotmachine are installed, a game is played by inserting various kinds ofgame media such as a coin, cash and the like into a gaming machine. Eachgaming machine pays out a dividend to a player according to a prizewining state (a result of playing the game) generated while the game isin progress.

In a casino where plural slot machines are installed, a credit spent ineach slot machine is partly reserved and in a case where the reservationreaches a predetermined amount, one of the slot machines provides aso-called “jackpot” paying out a big amount, which is not paid out in anordinary hit (JP-A 2003-117053). In such slot machines, a hit in eachmachine usually occurs on a preset probability and a player advances agame with expectation of the hit to be encountered. One of the slotmachines has a chance to hit a jackpot at a timing in a lotterydifferent from a common lottery in which a hit based on theabove-mentioned probability is set in the slot machines. Generally,plural casinos are interconnected in a network in order to increase apayout amount in a jackpot.

Furthermore, a system has been available in which a host computer andplural gaming machines are interconnected on a network and thegenerating of a bonus in the gaming machines is controlled by the hostcomputer (U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459). In this system, not only is thenumber of coins inserted into each gaming machine added up, but a partof a total number of inserted coins in the plural gaming machines areseparately added up as a bonus pool. The host computer gives a bonusqualification to a gaming machine in which the number of inserted coinsreaches a predetermined number. The host computer transmits a command toone gaming machine selected from gaming machines having bonusqualification, when a value of the bonus pool reaches a predeterminedthreshold value. The gaming machine which received the command isenabled to play a bonus game high in gambling characteristic.

In a slot machine described in JP-A 2003-117053, however, it is a playerwho plays a game in a gaming machine selected in a lottery that enjoys aprofit from a jackpot. Hence, there has arisen a case where a playerhaving spent many coins cannot enjoy a jackpot at all, but anotherplayer who has just started the game acquires a jackpot profit.

In the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459 as well, a chance toacquire the profit of a bonus game is one of gaming machines in which atotal number of inserted coins reaches a predetermined number. A chanceto acquire the profit of a bonus game is not always given to a playerhaving spent many coins. Therefore, in the system described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,820,459, there has arisen a case where a player having spent manycoins cannot secure the profit of a bonus game and another player whohas just started the game acquires a bonus game profit, in a similar wayto that in a slot machine described in JP-A 2003-117053.

In the system described in U.S Pat. No. 5,820,459, part of the number ofinserted coins in each of plural gaming machines is added up as a bonuspool. Hence, in a case where an operation rate of the gaming machines inthe system is low, a player, who has spent many of coins, has had apossibility not to be rewarded by the profit of a bonus game since thevalue of the bonus pool does not reaches a predetermined thresholdvalue. Moreover, since the bonus game in the system described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,820,459 is high in gambling characteristic, there has arisena case where the profit of the bonus game cannot be acquiredsufficiently by a player, even when he is given a chance capable ofacquiring the profit.

If such circumstances occur, a player who has spent many coins may feelunpleasant against the game, build up distrust thereto, or lose interestin or a concern on the game.

The contents of JP-A 2003-117053 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,459 areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentionedproblems and it is an object of the present invention to provide: agaming machine capable of preventing a player who has spent many of thegame media such as coins from feeling unpleasant against a game,building up a distrust thereto, or losing interest in or a concern onthe game; a game control method related to the gaming machine; and agaming machine system equipped with the gaming machine and a controldevice.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventionprovides the following configuration:

(1) A gaming machine comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination; and

means for, when the number of games accumulatively counted each time agame is played reaches a set value set as an object of comparison withthe number of games, generating a second special game state where thenumber of game media to be paid out is determined according to a numberobtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination.

According to the configuration (1), when the number of games reaches theset value set as the object of comparison with the number of games(e.g., “600”), the second special game state is generated where thenumber of game media to be paid out is determined according to thenumber obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to the regular winning combination.Therefore, even when the first special game state is not generated for along period of time leading to the spending of many of the game media,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the number of games reaches the set value, and thus the playercan make profit for playing the game.

Further, the larger the number of regular winning combinations havingbeen won until generation of the second special game state is, thelarger the number of game media that can be obtained in the secondspecial game state becomes. Therefore, even when the first special gamestate is not generated for a long period of time, so long as a largenumber of regular winning combinations have been won, the player canreceive a return according to his or her game results in the secondspecial game state, for example by obtaining a large number of gamemedia.

Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed alarge number of game media, from raising discomfort or distrust towardthe game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(2) A gaming machine connected through a communication line to a controldevice which counts the number of games accumulatively for every gamingmachine of plural gaming machines, comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination;

means for transmitting an identification information of the gamingmachine to the control device through the communication line each time agame is played;

means for receiving a command signal transmitted from the control devicewhen the number of games accumulatively counted by the control devicebased on the identification information of the gaming machine reaches aset value set as an object of comparison with the number of games; and

means for generating a second special game state based on the commandsignal where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to a number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of thenumber of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination.

According to the configuration (2), upon reception of a command signaltransmitted from the control device when the number of games counted bythe control device reaches the set value, the second special game stateis generated where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to the number obtained by accumulatively counting a part ofthe number of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination. In the second special game state, the larger the number ofwinning combinations having been won until generation of the secondspecial game state is, the larger the number of game media that can beobtained by the player in the second special game state becomes.Therefore, even when a large number of game media are consumed for along period of time without generation of the first special game state,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the number of games reaches the set value, allowing the playerto receive a return according to his or her game results. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(3) A gaming machine comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination;

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out according to the regular winning combination;

means for counting accumulatively the number of games each time a gameis played;

means for determining whether or not the number of games has reached aset value set as an object of comparison with the number of games; and

means for, when the number of games is determined to have reached theset value, generating a second special game state where the number ofgame media to be paid out is determined according to a number obtainedby accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination.

According to the configuration (3), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted according to the regularwinning combination each time the regular winning combination is won.Further, the number of games is accumulatively counted each time a gameis played. It is then determined whether or not the number of games hasreached the set value, and when the number of games is determined tohave reached the set value, the second special game state is generatedwhere the number of game media to be paid out is determined according tothe number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number ofgame media to be paid out according to the regular winning combination.In the second special game state, the more often the second special gamestate is generated, the larger the number of game media that can beobtained by the player in the second special game state becomes.Therefore, even when a large number of game media are consumed for along period of time without generation of the first special game state,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the number of games reaches the set value, allowing the playerto receive a return according to his or her game results. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(4) The gaming machine according to any of the configurations (1) to(3), wherein reception means that can accept for one game an insertionof game media up to a predetermined upper limit value is provided, andthe means for generating the second special game state generates thesecond special game state in a case where the number of inserted gamemedia for the game played by the player is equal to the upper limitvalue when the number of games reaches the set value.

According to the configuration (4), the player can be urged to insertthe game media up to the upper limit, thereby enabling a facility suchas a casino to increase its profit.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(5) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination; and

a processing reading from the storage device, when the number of gamesaccumulatively counted each time a game is played reaches a set valueset as an object of comparison with the number of games, a program forgenerating a second special game state where the number of game media tobe paid out is determined according to a number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination, and executing theprogram.

According to the configuration (5), when the number of games reaches theset value, the second special game state is generated where the numberof game media to be paid out is determined according to the numberobtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination. In thesecond special game state, the larger the number of winning combinationshaving been won until generation of the second special game state is,the larger the number of game media that can be obtained by the playerin the second special game state becomes. Therefore, even when a largenumber of game media are consumed for a long period of time withoutgeneration of the first special game state, the second special gamestate is generated as long as the game is played such that the number ofgames reaches the set value, allowing the player to receive a returnaccording to his or her game results. Consequently, it is possible toprevent the player, who has consumed a large number of game media, fromraising discomfort or distrust toward the game and from losing aninterest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(6) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice, and connected through a communication line to a control devicewhich counts the number of games accumulatively for every gaming machineof plural gaming machines,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to, be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination;

a processing transmitting an identification information of the gamingmachine stored in the storage device to the control device through thecommunication line each time a game is played;

a processing receiving a command signal transmitted from the controldevice when the number of games accumulatively counted by the controldevice based on the identification information of the gaming machinereaches a set value set as an object of comparison with the number ofgames; and

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating asecond special game state based on the command signal where the numberof game media to be paid out is determined according to a numberobtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination, andexecuting the program.

According to the configuration (6), upon reception of a command signaltransmitted from the control device when the number of games counted bythe control device reaches the set value, a second special game state isgenerated where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to the number obtained by accumulatively counting a part ofthe number of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination. In the second special game state, the larger the number ofwinning combinations having been won until generation of the secondspecial game state is, the larger the number of game media that can beobtained by the player in the second special game state becomes.Therefore, even when a large number of game media are consumed for along period of time without generation of the first special game state,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the number of games reaches the set value, allowing the playerto receive a return according to his or her game results. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(7) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination;

a processing accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination;

a processing counting accumulatively the number of games each time agame is played;

a processing determining whether or not the number of games has reacheda set value set as an object of comparison with the number of games; and

a processing reading from the storage device, when the number of gamesis determined to have reached the set value, a program for generating asecond special game state where the number of game media to be paid outis determined according to a number obtained by accumulatively countinga part of the number of game media to be paid out according to theregular winning combination, and executing the program.

According to the configuration (7), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted according to the regularwinning combination each time the regular winning combination is won.Further, the number of games is accumulatively counted each time a gameis played. It is then determined whether or not the number of games hasreached the set value, and when the number of games is determined tohave reached the set value, the second special game state is generatedwhere the number of game media to be paid out is determined according tothe number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number ofgame media to be paid out according to the regular winning combination.In the second special game state, the more often the second special gamestate is generated, the larger the number of game media that can beobtained by the player in the second special game state becomes.Therefore, even when a large number of game media are consumed for along period of time without generation of the first special game state,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the number of games reaches the set value, allowing the playerto receive a return according to his or her game results. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(8) The gaming machine according to any of the configurations (5) to(7), where in the processing device executes a program for generatingthe second special game state when the number of games reaches the setvalue in a case where the number of inserted game media for a gameplayed by the player is the upper limit value of the number of gamemedia to be inserted for one game.

According to the configuration (8), the player can be urged to insertthe game media up to the upper limit, thereby enabling a facility suchas a casino to increase its profit.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(9) A gaming machine comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination; and

means for, when a payment balance in terms of the game media falls to orbelow a set value set as an object of comparison with the paymentbalance, generating a second special game state where the number of gamemedia to be paid out is determined according to a number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination.

According to the configuration (9), when the payment balance in terms ofthe game media falls to or below the set value set as an object ofcomparison with the payment balance (e.g., “−600”), the second specialgame state is generated where the number of game media to be paid out isdetermined according to the number obtained by accumulatively counting apart of the number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination. Therefore, even when the first special game stateis not generated for a long period of time leading to the spending ofmany of the game media, the second special game state is generated aslong as the game is played such that the payment balance in terms of thegame media falls to or below the set value, and thus the player can makeprofit for playing the game.

Further, the larger the number of regular winning combinations havingbeen won until generation of the second special game state is, thelarger the number of game media that can be obtained in the secondspecial game state becomes. Therefore, even when the first special gamestate is not generated for a long period of time, so long as a largenumber of regular winning combinations have been won, the player canreceive a return according to his or her game results in the secondspecial game state, for example by obtaining a large number of gamemedia.

Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed alarge number of game media, from raising discomfort or distrust towardthe game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(10) A gaming machine connected through a communication line to acontrol device which counts a payment balance in terms of game mediaaccumulatively for every gaming machine of plural gaming machines,comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination;

means for, each time a game is played, transmitting the payment balancein the game in terms of the game media in addition to an identificationinformation of the gaming machine to the control device through thecommunication line;

means for receiving a command signal transmitted from the control devicewhen the payment balance in terms of the game media accumulativelycounted, based on the identification information of the gaming machineand the payment balance in the game in terms of the game media, by thecontrol device reaches a set value set as an object of comparison withthe payment balance in terms of the game media; and

means for generating a second special game state based on the commandsignal where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to a number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of thenumber of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination.

According to the configuration (10), upon reception of the commandsignal transmitted from the control device when the payment balance interms of the game media counted by the control device falls to or belowthe set value, the second special game state is generated where thenumber of game media to be paid out is determined according to thenumber obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to the regular winning combination. Inthe second special game state, the larger the number of winningcombinations having been won until generation of the second special gamestate is, the larger the number of game media that can be obtained bythe player in the second special game state becomes. Therefore, evenwhen a large number of game media are consumed for a long period of timewithout generation of the first special game state, the second specialgame state is generated as long as the game is played such that thepayment balance in terms of the game media falls to or below the setvalue, allowing the player to receive a return according to his or hergame results. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, whohas consumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(11) A gaming machine comprising:

winning combination determination means for determining a winningcombination by a lottery;

means for generating a first special game state that is a game stateadvantageous to a player when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination;

means for determining the number of game media to be paid out accordingto a regular winning combination when the determined winning combinationis the regular winning combination other than the special winningcombination;

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out according to the regular winning combination;

means for counting accumulatively a payment balance in terms of the gamemedia each time a game is played;

means for determining whether or not the payment balance in terms of thegame media has fallen to or below a set value set as an object ofcomparison with the payment balance in terms of the game media; and

means for, when the payment balance in terms of the game media isdetermined to have fallen to or below the set value, generating a secondspecial game state where the number of game media to be paid out isdetermined according to a number obtained by accumulatively counting apart of the number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination.

According to the configuration (11), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted according to the regularwinning combination each time the regular winning combination is won.Further, the payment balance in terms of the game media isaccumulatively counted each time a game is played. It is then determinedwhether or not the payment balance in terms of the game media has fallento or below the set value, and when the payment balance in terms of thegame media is determined to have fallen to or below the set value, thesecond special game state is generated where the number of game media tobe paid out is determined according to the number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination. In the second specialgame state, the more often the second special game state is generated,the larger the number of game media that can be obtained by the playerin the second special game state becomes. Therefore, even when a largenumber of game media are consumed for a long period of time withoutgeneration of the first special game state, the second special gamestate is generated as long as the game is played such that the paymentbalance in terms of the game media falls to or below the set value,allowing the player to receive a return according to his or her gameresults. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who hasconsumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(12) The gaming machine according to any of the configurations (9) to(11), wherein reception means that can accept for one game an insertionof game media up to a predetermined upper limit value is provided, andthe means for generating the second special game state generates thesecond special game state in a case where the number of inserted gamemedia for the game played by the player is equal to the upper limitvalue when the payment balance in terms of the game media falls to orbelow the set value.

According to the configuration (12), the player can be urged to insertthe game media up to the upper limit, thereby enabling a facility suchas a casino to increase its profit.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(13) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination; and

a processing reading from the storage device, when a payment balance interms of the game media accumulatively counted each time a game isplayed falls to or below a set value set as an object of comparison withthe payment balance in terms of the game media, a program for generatinga second special game state where the number of game media to be paidout is determined according to a number obtained by accumulativelycounting a part of the number of game media to be paid out according tothe regular winning combination, and executing the program.

According to the configuration (13), when the payment balance in termsof the game media falls to or below the set value, the second specialgame state is generated where the number of game media to be paid out isdetermined according to the number obtained by accumulatively counting apart of the number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination. In the second special game state, the larger thenumber of winning combinations having been won until generation of thesecond special game state is, the larger the number of game media thatcan be obtained by the player in the second special game state becomes.Therefore, even when a large number of game media are consumed for along period of time without generation of the first special game state,the second special game state is generated as long as the game is playedsuch that the payment balance in terms of the game media falls to orbelow the set value, allowing the player to receive a return accordingto his or her game results. Consequently, it is possible to prevent theplayer, who has consumed a large number of game media, from raisingdiscomfort or distrust toward the game and from losing an interest inthe game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(14) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice, and connected through a communication line to a control devicewhich counts the payment balance in terms of game media accumulativelyfor every gaming machine of plural gaming machines,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination;

a processing transmitting the numbers of the game media inserted andpaid out in the game in addition to an identification information of thegaming machine stored in the storage device to the control devicethrough the communication line each time a game is played;

a processing receiving a command signal transmitted from the controldevice when the payment balance in terms of the game mediaaccumulatively counted, based on the identification information of thegaming machine and the numbers of the game media inserted and paid outin the game, by the control device falls to or below a set value set asan object of comparison with the payment balance in terms of the gamemedia; and

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating asecond special game state based on the command signal where the numberof game media to be paid out is determined according to a numberobtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination, andexecuting the program.

According to the configuration (14), upon reception of the commandsignal transmitted from the control device when the payment balance interms of the game media counted by the control device falls to or belowthe set value, the second special game state is generated where thenumber of game media to be paid out is determined according to thenumber obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to the regular winning combination. Inthe second special game state, the larger the number of winningcombinations having been won until generation of the second special gamestate is, the larger the number of game media that can be obtained bythe player in the second special game state becomes. Therefore, evenwhen a large number of game media are consumed for a long period of timewithout generation of the first special game state, the second specialgame state is generated as long as the game is played such that thepayment balance in terms of the game media falls to or below the setvalue, allowing the player to receive a return according to his or hergame results. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, whohas consumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(15) A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and a storagedevice,

wherein

the processing device executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in the storage device;

a processing reading from the storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing the program;

a processing determining the number of game media to be paid outaccording to a regular winning combination when the determined winningcombination is the regular winning combination other than the specialwinning combination;

a processing accumulatively counting a part of the number of game mediato be paid out according to the regular winning combination;

a processing counting accumulatively a payment balance in terms of thegame media each time a game is played;

a processing determining whether or not the payment balance in terms ofthe game media has fallen to or below a set value set as an object ofcomparison with the payment balance in terms of the game media; and

a processing reading from the storage device, when the payment balancein terms of the game media is determined to have fallen to or below theset value, a program for generating a second special game state wherethe number of game media to be paid out is determined according to anumber obtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to the regular winning combination, andexecuting the program.

According to the configuration (15), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted according to the regularwinning combination each time the regular winning combination is won.Further, the payment balance in terms of the game media isaccumulatively counted each time a game is played. It is then determinedwhether or not the payment balance in terms of the game media has fallento or below the set value, and when the payment balance in terms of thegame media is determined to have fallen to or below the set value, thesecond special game state is generated where the number of game media tobe paid out is determined according to the number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination. In the second specialgame state, the more of ten the second special game state is generated,the larger the number of game media that can be obtained by the playerin the second special game state becomes. Therefore, even when a largenumber of game media are consumed for a long period of time withoutgeneration of the first special game state, the second special gamestate is generated as long as the game is played such that the paymentbalance in terms of the game media falls to or below the set value,allowing the player to receive a return according to his or her gameresults. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who hasconsumed a large number-of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(16) The gaming machine according to any of the configurations (13) to(15), wherein the processing device executes a program for generatingthe second special game state when the payment balance in terms of thegame media falls to or below the set value in a case where the number ofinserted game media for a game played by the player is the upper limitvalue of the number of game media to be inserted for one game.

According to the configuration (16), the player can be urged to insertthe game media up to the upper limit, thereby enabling a facility suchas a casino to increase its profit.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(17) A gaming machine comprising:

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined according to a lottery result;and

means for paying out to a player the accumulatively counted number ofgame media when the number of games played by the player reaches apredetermined set value.

According to the configuration (17), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the number of games played bythe player reaches the predetermined set value, the accumulativelycounted number of game media are paid out to the player. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(18) A gaming machine comprising:

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined according to a lottery result;and

means for paying out to a player the accumulatively counted number ofgame media when a payment balance in terms of the game media of theplayer falls to or below a predetermined set value.

According to the configuration (18), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the payment balance in termsof the game media of the player falls to or below the predetermined setvalue, the accumulatively counted number of game media are paid out tothe player. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who hasconsumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(19) A game control method comprising:

a step of accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined a according to a lotteryresult; and

a step of paying out to a player the accumulatively counted number ofgame media when the number of games played by the player reaches apredetermined set value.

According to the configuration (19), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulativelycounted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the number of games played bythe player reaches the predetermined set value, the accumulativelycounted number of game media are paid out to the player. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(20) A game control method comprising:

a step of accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined according to a lottery result;and

a step of paying out to a player the accumulatively counted number ofgame media when the payment balance in terms of the game media of theplayer falls to or below a predetermined set value.

According to the configuration (20), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the payment balance in termsof the game media of the player falls to or below the predetermined setvalue, the accumulatively counted number of game media are paid out tothe player. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who hasconsumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(21) A game system equipped with a gaming machine and a control device,

wherein,

the control device includes

means for transmitting a signal to the gaming machine when the number ofgames played in the gaming machine by a player reaches a predeterminedset value, and

the gaming machine includes:

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined a according to a lotteryresult; and

means for, according to the signal received from the control device,paying out to the player the accumulatively counted number of gamemedia.

According to the configuration (21), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the number of games played bythe player reaches the predetermined set value, the accumulativelycounted number of game media are paid out to the player. Consequently,it is possible to prevent the player, who has consumed a large number ofgame media, from raising discomfort or distrust toward the game and fromlosing an interest in the game.

The present invention provides the following configuration:

(22) A game system equipped with a gaming machine and a control device,

wherein

the control device includes

means for transmitting a signal to the gaming machine when the paymentbalance in terms of the game media of the player in the gaming machinefalls to or be low a predetermined set value, and

the gaming machine includes:

means for accumulatively counting a part of the number of game media tobe paid out, the number being determined a according to a lotteryresult; and

means for, according to the signal received from the control device,paying out to the player the accumulatively counted number of gamemedia.

According to the configuration (22), a part of the number of game mediato be paid out is accumulatively counted, the number being determinedaccording to the lottery result, and when the payment balance in termsof the game media of the player falls to or below the predetermined setvalue, the accumulatively counted number of game media are paid out tothe player. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the player, who hasconsumed a large number of game media, from raising discomfort ordistrust toward the game and from losing an interest in the game.

As a result, according to the present invention, it can be prevented fora player who has spent many of the game media from feeling unpleasantagainst the game, building up distrust thereto, or losing interest in ora concern on the game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire construction of a gamesystem according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a gaming machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the symbol sequence depicted on theouter circumferential surface of each reel;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of a controldevice according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a figure schematically showing an example of correspondencetable between a gaming machine identification number and a game history;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure in an authentication readingprocessing for a game program and a game system program executed by amother board and a gaming board shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a game mode selectionprocessing;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are figures showing an image displayed on the lowerimage display panel when a game mode selection processing is executed;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a game executionprocessing;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a lottery processing;

FIG. 12 is a figure describing a relationship among winning combinationsof plural kinds, establishment possibility of each winning combinationand the number of coin-out in the present embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a reel rotating controlprocessing;

FIGS. 14A to 14D are side views for describing a rotating operation ofthe reel;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence table betweenthe number of steps and the code No.;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a bonus game processing;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a return mode processing;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are figures showing an example of image displayed onthe lower image display panel when a game state shifts to the returnmode (when the second special game state is generated);

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a counting processing;and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of a subroutine of a gameexecution processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire construction of a gamesystem according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A game system 100 includes: plural gaming machines 10; and a controldevice 200 connected to the gaming machines 10 through a predeterminedcommunication line 101. Such a game system 100 maybe constructed in onerecreation facility capable of playing various kinds of games such as abar, a casino and the like, or between plural recreation facilities.When the game system is constructed in one recreation facility, the gamesystem 100 may be constructed on each floor or section of the recreationfacility. The communication line 101 is not particularly limited, andmay be wired or wireless, and either a dedicated line or a switched linecan be used.

In the embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is a slot machine. In thepresent invention, however, a gaming machine is not limited to a slotmachine, and for example, a so-called single gaming machine such as avideo slot machine, a video card gaming machine and the like may beadopted, and a so-called mass game (multi-terminal gaming machine) suchas a racing game, a bingo game, a public lottery and the like, which isa game that takes a predetermined time for a result to be displayed, mayalso be adopted.

In the gaming machine 10, a coin, a note or an electronic valuableinformation corresponding thereto is used as a game media. In thepresent invention, however, the game media is not particularly limited,and for example, a medal, a token, an electronic money and a ticket canbe used. The ticket is not particularly limited and may include, forexample, a ticket with a bar code as described later, and of the liketickets.

The control device 200 controls plural gaming machines 10. Especially,in the present embodiment, the control device 200 controls a transitionto a return mode in each of the gaming machines 10. The return modecorresponds to the second special game state in the present inventionand many coins are paid out in the return mode. The control device 200may be a device which controls the return rate by controlling thetransition to the return mode. In such a construction, the controldevice 200 may be a device which controls the return rates of each ofthe gaming machines 10 individually, or a device which controls thereturn rate across all gaming machines 10 collectively.

The control device 200 may further function as a so-called hole serverwhich is installed in a recreation facility having plural gamingmachines 10, or as a server which collectively controls pluralrecreation facilities. Moreover, every gaming machine 10 has its ownidentification number, and the source of data transmitted to the controldevice 200 from each of the gaming machines 10 is distinguished thereinby their identification numbers. The identification number is also usedto designate a transmission destination of data transmitted to thegaming machine 10 from the control device 200.

The identification number of a gaming machine corresponds to theidentification information on a gaming machine of the present invention.The identification information on a gaming machine of the presentinvention is not particularly limited, and examples thereof may include:a letter, a symbol, a figure, a combination thereof, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a gaming machineaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

The gaming machine 10 includes: a cabinet 11; a top box 12 placed on theupper side of the cabinet 11; and a main door 13 provided at the frontface of the cabinet 11. Inside the cabinet 11, three reels 14 (14L, 14Cand 14R) are rotatably installed. Twenty-two designs (hereinafter, alsoreferred to as symbols) are depicted as symbol sequences on the outercircumferential surface of each of the reels 14.

A lower image display panel 16 is provided over the reels 14 in the maindoor 13. The lower image display panel 16 is provided with a transparentliquid crystal panel, and various kinds of information, representationimage and the like associated with the game are displayed while the gameis played.

A number-of-credits display section 31 and a number-of-payouts displaysection 32 are formed on the lower image display panel 16. The number ofcredited coins is displayed as an image on the number-of-credits displaysection 31. The number of coins to be paid out is shown as an image onthe number-of-payouts display section 32, when a combination of symbolsstop displayed on a winning line L is a predetermined combination.

Three display windows 15 (15L, 15C and 15R), the back faces of which arevisually recognizable, are formed on the lower image display panel 16,and through each of the display windows 15, three of the symbolsdepicted on the outer circumferential surface of each of the reels 14are displayed. One winning line L traversing horizontally the threedisplay windows 15 is formed on the lower image display panel 16. Thewinning line L defines a combination of symbols. When a combination ofsymbols stop displayed on the winning line L is a predeterminedcombination, the number of coins corresponding to the combination andthe number of inserted coins (the number of BETs) is paid out.

Moreover, in the present invention, for example, when: plural winninglines L which traverse horizontally or obliquely the three displaywindows 15 are formed; the winning lines L, the number thereof whichbecomes effective set to be dependent on the number of coin-in, becomeeffective; and a combination of symbols stop displayed on the winningline L which became effective is a predetermined combination, the numberof coins corresponding to the stop-displayed combination may be paidout.

A touch panel 69, which is not shown in the figure, is provided on thefront face of the lower image display panel 16 and the player can inputvarious kinds of commands by operating the touch panel 69.

Provided below the lower image display panel 16 are: a control panel 20constituting of plural buttons 23 to 27 which are inputted by theplayer, commands associated with progress of the game; a coin receivingslot 21 accepting coins into the cabinet 11; and a note identifier 22.

The control panel 20 is provided with: a spin button 23; a change button24; a CASHOUT button 25; a 1-BET button 26; and a maximum BET button 27.The spin button 23 is used for inputting a command to start the rotatingof the reels 14. The change button 24 is used in a case where a playerrequests an attendant of a recreation facility to exchange money. TheCASHOUT button 25 is used for inputting a command to pay out creditedcoins to a coin tray 18.

The 1-BET button 26 is used for inputting a command to bet one coin ofthe credited coins. The maximum BET button 27 is used for inputting acommand to bet the maximum number of coins that can be bet on one game(50 coins in the present embodiment) of the credited coins.

In the present invention, insertion of a game media means that a gamemedia is bet on a game. For example, when coins inserted into the coinreceiving slot 21 are directly bet on a game, insertion of coins intothe coin receiving slot 21 corresponds to insertion of a game media.However, when coins inserted into the coin receiving slot 21 aretemporarily credited, and the credited coins are bet on a game byoperating the 1-BET button 26 or the maximum BET button 27, as in thepresent embodiment, the bet of the credited coins on the gamecorresponds to insertion of a game media.

The note identifier 22 is used not only for discriminating a false notefrom a true note but also for accepting the true note into the cabinet11. The note identifier 22 may be configured such that a ticket 39 witha bar code which will be described later can be read. A belly glass 34on which characters and the like of the gaming machine 10 are depictedis provided on the front face of the lower portion of the main door 13,that is, below the control panel 20.

An upper image display panel 33 is provided at the front face of a topbox 12. The upper image display panel 33 is provided with a liquidcrystal panel and, for example, an image to introduce the contents ofthe game or explain a game rule is displayed thereto.

A speaker 29 is provided in the top box 12. A ticket printer 35, a cardreader 36, a data display 37 and a key pad 38 are provided beneath theupper image display panel 33. The ticket printer 35 prints on a ticket abar code in which data such as the number of credits, date, time,identification number of the gaming machine 10 and of the like data areencoded, and outputs the ticket 39 with a bar code. A player can makethe ticket 39 with a bar code to be read by a second gaming machine andplay a game in the second gaming machine, or exchange in a predeterminedplace (for example, at a cashier in the casino) of a recreation facilitythe ticket 39 with a bar code to notes.

The card reader 36 is used for reading data from a smart card andwriting data onto a smart card. The smart card is a card to be carriedby a player, and for example, data to identify a player and dataconcerning a history of a game played by a player are stored thereon.Data corresponding to a coin, a note or a credit may also be stored onthe smart card. As an alternative of a smart card, a magnetic stripecard may be adopted. The data display 37 is a fluorescent display andthe like, and it is used, for example, to display data read by the cardreader 36 and data inputted by a player from the key pad 38. The key pad38 is used for inputting a command or data to issue a ticket and thelike.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the symbol sequence depicted on theouter circumferential surface of each reel.

Twenty two symbols each are depicted on the outer circumferentialsurface of the left reel 14L, the middle reel 14 C and the right reel 14R. A sequence of the symbols depicted on the outer circumferentialsurface of each of the reels 14 is different from one another. Thesequences of the symbols are combinations of the following symbols:“JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, “ORANGE”and “APPLE”.

When the same three symbols of one of the symbols of“JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”, “STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM” and“ORANGE” are stopdisplayed on the winning line L, a predetermined number of credits isadded to the account of the player as a credit owned by the player (seeFIG. 12). As for “CHERRY” and “ORANGE”, even if one or two of one of thesymbols are stop displayed, a predetermined number of credits are addedto the account of the player as credits owned by the player according tothe number of the symbols stop displayed (see FIG. 12).

The symbol sequence “APPLE” is a bonus game trigger (a symbol to transitto a bonus game). When three of the “APPLE” are stop displayed on thewinning line L, a game state shifts to a bonus game. The bonus gamecorresponds to the first special game state. In the present embodiment,a bonus game is a free game (a game in which a predetermined numberthereof can be played without inserting coins for BET).

The bonus game trigger in the present embodiment corresponds to thespecial winning combination in the present invention. Further, a winningcombination constituted by “JACKPOT 7”, “BLUE 7”, “BELL”, “CHERRY”,“STRAWBERRY”, “PLUM”, or “ORANGE” corresponds to the regular winningcombination in the present invention. It should be noted that thespecial winning combination in the present invention is not necessarilyone kind but can be set as appropriate.

In the present invention, the first special game state is notparticularly limited as far as it is a game state advantageous to theplayer. A game state that is advantageous to the player is notparticularly limited as far as it is more advantageous than an ordinarygame state (a game state other than the first special game state or thesecond special game state) and examples thereof include: a state wheremore of the game media can be earned than in an ordinary game state, astate where the game media can be earned on a probability higher than inan ordinary game state, a state where the number of the game media spentby a player is less than in an ordinary game state and of the likestate. More specifically, examples of the first special game stateinclude a free game, a second game, a mystery bonus and the like.

The sequence of symbols depicted on each of the reels 14 are, when thespin button 23 is pressed after the 1-BET button or the maximum BETbutton 27 is pressed to start a game, scroll displayed by scrollingdownwards in the display windows 15 during the rotating of the reels 14,and after a predetermined time elapses, the rotating of the reels 14comes to a stop, and thus the sequence of symbols are stop displayed inthe display windows 15. Various kinds of winning combinations (see FIG.12) are predetermined based on combinations of symbols and when acombination of symbols corresponding to a winning combination stops onthe winning line L, the number of payout coins corresponding to thewinning combination is added to credits owned by the player. When abonus game trigger has been established, a bonus game is generated.

When a return mode flag which will be described later has been set tothe state “ON”, a game state shifts to a return mode after the symbolsare stop displayed as described above. When a bonus game has beengenerated, the game state shifts to the return mode after the bonus gameis over. The return mode corresponds to the second special game state.In the present embodiment, if a game state shifts to the return mode, apredetermined payout number of coins are paid out. In the return mode,the coins are paid out in number corresponding to the above-mentionednumber (hereinafter also referred to as reservoir value) obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of coins to be paid outaccording to the regular winning combination.

In the present invention, the second special game state is notparticularly limited as far as it is a game state where the coins arepaid out in number corresponding to the number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of coins to be paid outaccording to the regular winning combination. Examples of the secondgame state include a free game, a second game, a mystery bonus game andthe like.

In the present invention, the second special game state may be a gamestate of the same kind as the first special game state, or a game stateof a kind different from the first game state as in the presentembodiment. When the second special game state is made to be a gamestate different from the first special game state, games can be high inversatility, which can enhance a sense of expectation for the secondspecial game state. Moreover, a game state of the second special gamestate may be an exclusive game state generated only when the secondspecial game state occurs. In such a situation, a sense of expectationfor the second special game state can be further enhanced.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

A gaming board 50 includes: CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, ROM 55 andboot ROM 52 which are interconnected to one another by an internal bus;a card slot 53S which accepts a memory card 53; an IC socket 54S whichaccepts GAL (Generic Array Logic) 54.

The memory card 53 is constituted of non-volatile memories such asCompactFlash (registered trademark) and stores a game program and a gamesystem program. The game program contains a lottery program. The lotteryprogram is a program for determining symbols (code Nos. corresponding tothe symbols) on each of the reels 14 which are to be stop displayed onthe winning line L. The lottery program contains one or more of symbolweighting determination data, each corresponding to respective pluralkinds of payout rates (for example, 80%, 84% and 88%). The symbolweighting determination data is data showing a correspondencerelationship between a code No. (see FIG. 3) of each symbol and one orplural random number values from a predetermined numerical value range(0 to 255), for each of the three reels 14. A payout rate is determinedbased on data for setting a payout rate outputted from the GAL 54, andthe lottery is executed based on symbol weighting determination datacorresponding to the payout rate.

The card slot 53S is configured so that the memory card 53 can beinserted therein or drawn out therefrom, and connected to a mother board40 through IDE bus. Therefore, a kind or contents of a game played inthe gaming machine 10 can be changed by drawing out the memory card 53from the card slot 53S, writing a different game program and game systemprogram thereon, and inserting the memory card 53 into the card slot 53Sthereafter. Moreover, a kind or contents of a game played in the gamingmachine 10 can also be changed by changing a memory card 53 on which agame program and a game system program are stored to a different memorycard 53 on which a different game program and game system program arestored. The game program includes a program related to progress in agame; a program for generating the first special game state; and aprogram for generating the second special game state. The game programfurther includes image data and sound data outputted while a game isplayed.

GAL 54 is one kind of PLD having an OR fixed array structure. GAL 54 isequipped with a plurality of an input port and an output port and when apredetermined data is inputted to the input port, data corresponding tothe input data is outputted from the output port. The data outputtedfrom the output port is the above-mentioned data for setting a payoutrate.

The IC socket 54S is configured such that GAL 54 can be mounted theretoor demounted therefrom, and connected to the mother board 40 through PCIbus. Therefore, data for setting a payout rate outputted from GAL 54 canbe changed by drawing out GAL 54 from the IC socket 54S, rewriting aprogram stored on GAL 54, mounting GAL 54 is to the IC socket 54Sthereafter. Moreover, data for setting a payout rate can also be changedby changing GAL 54 to a different GAL 54.

CPU 51, ROM 55 and boot ROM 52 interconnected to each other by theinternal bus are connected to the mother board 40 by PCI bus. The PCIbus not only conducts signal transmission between the mother board 40and the gaming board 50, but also supplies electric power to the gamingboard 50 from the mother board 40. ROM 55 stores country identificationinformation and an authentication program therein. Boot ROM 52 stores apreliminary authentication program, a program for CPU 51 to activate thepreliminary authentication program (a boot code) and the like therein.

The authentication program is a program to authenticate a game programand a game system program (an alteration check program). Theauthentication program is stated along a procedure for confirmation andcertification that the game program and the game system program that areobjects of an authentication capture processing are not altered, thatis, a procedure for conducting authentication of the game program andthe game system program (an authentication procedure). The preliminaryauthentication program is a program for authenticating theabove-mentioned authentication program. The preliminary authenticationprogram is stated along a procedure for certification that anauthentication program that is an object of an authentication processingis not altered, that is, a procedure for authenticating theauthentication program (an authentication procedure).

The mother board 40 is constructed with a general-purpose mother boardcommercially available (a printed circuit board on which basic parts ofa personal computer are mounted) and includes: a main CPU 41; ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 42; RAM (Random Access Memory) 43 and a communicationinterface 44. The main CPU 41 is the processing device of the presentinvention.

ROM 42 is constituted of a memory device such as a flash memory andstores thereon a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)executed by the main CPU 41 and permanent data. When BIOS is executed bythe main CPU 41, not only is an initialization processing forpredetermined peripheral devices conducted, but a capture processing forthe game program and the game system program stored on the memory card53 is also started via the gaming board 50. In the present invention,contents of ROM 42 may be rewritable or not rewritable.

RAM 43 stores data and a program used at the time of operation of themain CPU 41. RAM 43 can store the authentication program read throughthe gaming board 50 together with the game program and the game systemprogram. RAM 43 is the storage device of the present invention.

RAM 43 is provided with a storage region for a return mode flag. Thereturn mode flag is a flag to be referred to when a game state is to beselected whether it should be shifted to a return mode corresponding tothe second special game state or not. The storage region of the returnmode flag is constituted of a storage region with, for example, apredetermined number of bits and the return mode flag is turned “ON” or“OFF” according to storage contents in the storage region. If the returnmode flag is set to the state “ON”, the game state thereafter shifts tothe return mode without fail. RAM 43 further stores data on the numberof credits, the number of coin-in or coin-out for one game, and thelike.

The communication interface 44 is used to communicate with the controldevice 200 through the communication line 101. The main CPU 41 transmitsthe number of coin-in and the number of coin-out together with thegaming machine identification number of the gaming machine 10 to thecontrol device 200 each time a game is played. The number of games, anaccumulative number of coin-in and an accumulative number of coin-outare made to be associated with each gaming machine identificationnumber, and stored in the control device 200. Further, a part of thenumber of coin-out in the game is stored as a reservoir value. In thecontrol device 200, when the number of games of one gaming machine 10reaches a predetermined set value (e.g., 600), a return command signalis transmitted from the control device 200. In the return commandsignal, the reservoir value, having been made to be associated with thegaming machine identification number of the gaming machine 10 andstored, is included as data. When the main CPU 41 receives the returncommand signal through the communication interface 44, the return modeflag is set to the state “ON” and store the reservoir value in the RAM43 as data.

Both a body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 and a door PCB 80 which willbe described later are connected to the mother board 40 by USB. A powersupply unit 45 is also connected to the mother board 40. When electricpower is supplied from the power supply unit 45 to the mother board 40,not only is the main CPU 41 of the mother board 40 activated, but CPU 51is also activated from electric power supplied through the PCI bus tothe gaming board 50.

Equipment and devices which generate input signals to be inputted to themain CPU 41, and equipment and devices of which operations arecontrolled by a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41 areconnected to the body PCB 60 and the door PCB 80. The main CPU 41executes a game program and a game system program stored in RAM 43 basedof an input signal inputted to the main CPU 41, and thereby performs apredetermined computational processing, stores results of thereof intoRAM 43 and transmits a control signal to each equipment and device as acontrol processing for each of the equipment and devices.

A lamp 30, a sub CPU 61, a hopper 66, a coin detecting section 67, agraphic board 68, a speaker 29, a touch panel 69, a note identifier 22,a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36, a key switch 38S and a datadisplay 37 are connected to the body PCB 60. The lamp 30 is lit up in apredetermined pattern based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 41.

The sub CPU 61 controls the rotation-and stopping of the reels 14 (14L,14C and 14R). A motor driving circuit 62 equipped with FPGA (FieldProgrammable Gate array) 63 and a driver 64 is connected to the sub CPU61. FPGA 63 is an electronic circuit such as LSI capable of programmingand works as a control circuit of a stepping motor 70. The driver 64works as an amplifier circuit of a pulse to be inputted to the steppingmotor 70. The stepping motors 70 (70L, 70C and 70R) which rotate each ofthe reels 14, are connected to the motor driving circuit 62. Thestepping motor 70 is a 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motor.

In the present invention, an exciting type of the stepping motor is notparticularly limited, and for example, a motor of a 2 or 1 phaseexcitation type can be adopted. A DC motor may be adopted instead of astepping motor. When a DC motor is adopted, a deviation counter, a D/Aconverter and a servo amplifier are sequentially connected to the subCPU 61 in this order and the DC motor is connected to the servoamplifier. A rotational position of the DC motor is detected by a rotaryencoder and a current rotational position of the DC motor is supplied asdata from the rotary encoder to the deviation counter.

An index detecting circuit 65 and a position change detecting circuit 71are connected to the sub CPU 61. The index detecting circuit 65 is usedfor detecting positions (indexes described later) of the rotating reels14 and can also detect an out-of-order state of the reels 14. As for thecontrol of the rotating and stopping of the reels 14, detaileddescription will be given later by making reference to the figures.

The position change detecting circuit 71 detects a change of stoppagepositions of the reels 14 after the stopping of the rotating of thereels 14. The position change detecting circuit 71 detects the change ofstoppage positions of the reels 14, for example, in a case where thestoppage position is changed by force by a player as if the combinationof symbols was in a wining state, despite the fact that the combinationof symbols is not actually in a wining state, and of the like cases. Theposition change detecting circuit 71 is configured to be capable ofdetecting the change of stoppage position of the reel 14 by, forexample, detecting fins (not shown in the figure) attached with apredetermined space on the inner side of the reel 14.

The hopper 66 is installed in the cabinet 11 and pays out apredetermined number of coins from a coin payout exit 19 to a coin tray18 based on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41. A coindetecting section 67 is installed inside the coin payout exit 19 andwhen detecting that a predetermined number of coins has been paid outfrom the coin payout exit 19, outputs an input signal to the main CPU41.

The graphic board 68 controls, based on a control signal outputted fromthe main CPU 41, image displays on the upper image display panel 33 andthe lower image display pane 116. The number of credits stored in RAM 43is displayed on the number-of-credits display section 31 of the lowerimage display panel 16. The number of coin-out is displayed on thenumber-of-payouts display section 31 of the lower image display panel16.

The graphic board 68 is equipped with VDP (Video Display Processor)which generates image data based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41 and a video RAM which temporarily stores image datagenerated by VDP, and of the like equipments. Note that image data usedin generating image data with VDP is read from the memory card 53 andcontained in a game program stored in RAM 43.

The note identifier 22 not only discriminates a true note from a falsenote, but also accepts the true note into the cabinet 11. The noteidentifier 22, when accepting a true note, outputs an input signal tothe main CPU 41 based on a face amount of the note. The main CPU 41stores the number of credits corresponding to the amount of the notetransmitted with the input signal.

The ticket printer 35, based on a control signal outputted from the mainCPU 41, prints on a ticket a bar code obtained by encoding data such asthe number of credits, date and time, the identification number of thegaming machine 10, and of the like data stored in RAM 43, and outputsthe ticket 39 with a bar code.

The card reader 36 transmits to the main CPU 41 data read from the smartcard and writes data onto the smart card based on a control signal fromthe main CPU 41. The key switch 38S is provided on the keypad 38, andwhen the keypad 38 is operated by a player, outputs a predeterminedinput signal to the main CPU 41. The data display 37 displays, based ona control signal outputted from the main CPU 41, data read by the cardreader 36 and data inputted by a player through the key pad 38.

The control panel 20, a reverter 21S, a coin counter 21C and a coldcathode tube 81 are connected to the door PCB 80. The control panel 20is provided with a spin switch 23 s corresponding to the spin button 23,a change switch 24S corresponding to the change button 24, a CASHOUTswitch 25S corresponding to the CASHOUT button 25, a 1-BET switch 26Scorresponding to the 1-BET button 26, and a maximum BET switch 27Scorresponding to the maximum BET button 27. When the buttons 23 to 27are operated by a player, each of the switches 23S to 27S correspondingthereto outputs input signals to the main CPU 41.

The coin counter 21C is installed inside the coin receiving slot 21, anddiscriminates whether a coin inserted by a player into the coinreceiving slot 21 is true or false. Coins other than the true ones aredischarged from the coin payout exit 19. The coin counter 21C alsooutputs an input signal to the main CPU 41 when a true coin is detected.

The reverter 21S operates based on a control signal outputted from themain CPU 41 and distributes coins recognized by the coin counter 21C astrue coins into a cash box (not shown in the figure) or the hopper 66,which are disposed in the gaming machine 10. In other words, when thehopper 66 is filled with coins, true coins are distributed into the cashbox. On the other hand, when the hopper 66 is not filled with coins,true coins are distributed into the hopper 66. The cold cathode tube 81works as a backlight installed on the back face sides of the lower imagedisplay panel 16 and the upper image display panel 33 and is lit upbased on a control signal outputted from the main CPU 41.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal construction of a controldevice according to one embodiment of the present invention.

A control device 200 includes: CPU 201 as a processing device; ROM 202;RAM 203 as a temporary storage device; a communication interface 204;and a hard disc drive 205. The communication interface 204 is connectedto the communication interface 44 of the gaming machine 10 through thecommunication line 101. ROM 202 stores a system program for controllingoperations of the control device, a permanent data, and the like. RAM203 temporarily stores data received from each of the gaming machines 10and data such as results of the computational operation. Moreover, agame history of a gaming machine 10 is stored in the hard disc drive205, by being associated with the gaming machine identification numberof each of the gaming machines 10.

FIG. 6 is a figure schematically showing an example of correspondencetable between a gaming machine identification number and a game history.

Each of the gaming machine identification numbers is associated with agame history based on the number of games, an accumulative number ofcoin-in, an accumulative number of coin-out, a payment balance in termsof the coins and a return rate of coin-out.

Further, each of the gaming machine identification numbers is alsoassociated with a reservoir value. This reservoir value is the numberobtained by accumulatively counting a part of the number of coin-outaccording to the regular winning combination (in the present embodiment,10% of the number of coin-out).

When CPU 201 receives the number of coin-in, the number of coin-out andthe gaming machine identification number from the gaming machine 10through the communication interface 204, a game history corresponding tothe gaming machine identification number is updated. More specifically,1 is added to the number of games, the number of coins inserted is addedto the accumulative number of coin-in and the number of coins paid outis added to the accumulative number of coin-out. Further, a paymentbalance in terms of the coins and a return rate are calculated based onthe accumulative number of coin-in and the accumulative number ofcoin-out. Furthermore, 10% of the number of coin-out is added to thereservoir value. For example, when the number of coin-out is 100, 10 isadded to the reservoir value. When CPU 201 determines that the number ofgames updated has reached a set value, CPU 201 employs the reservoirvalue at that point as the number of coin-out in the return mode.

Next, description will be given of a processing performed in the gamingmachine 10.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure in an authentication readingprocessing for a game program and a game system program executed by amother board and a gaming board shown in FIG. 4. Note that the memorycard 53 is inserted into the card slot 53S on the gaming board 50 andGAL 54 is mounted to the IC socket 54S.

When a power supply switch is turned on in the power supply unit 45, themother board 40 and the gaming board 50 are activated (steps S1-1 andS2-1). When the mother board 40 and the gaming board 50 are activated,separate processing are performed at the same time. That is, in thegaming board 50, CPU 51 reads a preliminary authentication programstored in the boot ROM 52 and performs the preliminary authenticationwhich in advance, prior to capturing the authentication program into themother board 40, confirms or certificates that the program is notaltered according to the read preliminary authentication program (stepS2-2). On the other hand, in the mother board 40, the main CPU 41executes BIOS stored in ROM 42 to expand on RAM 43 compressed dataincorporated in BIOS (step S1-2). Then, the main CPU 41 executes BIOSexpanded on RAM 43 to perform diagnosis on and initialization of variouskinds of the peripheral devices (step S1-3).

Then, since ROM 55 on the gaming board 50 is connected to the main CPU41 through PCI bus, the main CPU 41 not only performs reading of theauthentication program stored in ROM 55, but also stores the readauthentication program into RAM 43 (step S1-4). On this occasion, themain CPU 41 takes a checksum according to ADDSUM method (a standardcheck function) with the help of the function of a standard BIOS ofBIOS, and by performing a confirmation processing for whether or notstorage is conducted without error, stores the authentication programinto RAM 43.

Then, after confirming what is connected to the IDE bus, the main CPU 41accesses the memory card 53 inserted into the card slot 53S through theIDE bus, and conducts reading of the game program and the game systemprogram from the memory card 53. In this case, the main CPU 41 reads 4bites at a time of data constituting the game program and the gamesystem program. Next, the main CPU 41 authenticates by confirming andcertifying according to the authentication program stored in RAM 43,that the read game program and game system program has not been altered(step S1-5). When the authentication processing is normally completed,the main CPU 41 writes and stores in RAM 43 the game program and thegame system program that have been an object of authentication (havebeen authenticated) (steps S1 to S6). Then, main CPU 41 accesses throughthe PCI bus to GAL 54 mounted to the IC socket 54S, reads data forsetting a payout rate from GAL 54 and writes and stores the data in RAM43 (step S1-7). Then, the main CPU 41 not only reads through the PCI buscountry identification information stored in ROM 55 on the gaming board50, but also stores the read country identification information into RAM43 (step S1-8).

After the processing is over, the main CPU 41 sequentially reads andexecutes the game program and the game system program to such that agame is progressed.

After the processing shown in FIG. 7 is over, the main CPU 41 performs agame mode selection processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a game mode selectionprocessing.

The main CPU 41 conducts a processing for adding credits stored in RAM43 as an interrupt processing when it receives a detection signaloutputted from the coin counter 21C in a case where the coin counter 21Cdetects a coin inserted into the coin receiving slot 21 while executingthe subroutine.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are figures showing an image displayed on the lowerimage display panel when a game mode selection processing is executed.

To begin with, the main CPU 41 conducts a processing to display on thelower imaged is play panel 16 an image for requesting to the playerselection of a game mode (step S3). In this processing, the main CPU 41transmits a depiction command for the game mode selection image to thegraphic board 68. On the graphic board, VDP extracts image data from RAM43 and expands the data on the video RAM to produce image data for oneframe and to output the image data to the lower image display panel 16,based on the depiction command. As a result, for example, an image asshown in FIG. 9Ais displayed on the lower side display panel 16.

FIG. 9A is a figure showing an example of game mode selection imagedisplayed on the lower image display panel. In the figure, numericalreference 15 (15L, 15C and 15R) indicates display windows. An imageshowing “Select a mode !!” is displayed in the upper portion of thelower image display panel 16. The image is an image for requesting aplayer to select a game mode. Moreover, images showing “INSURANCE” and“NO INSURANCE” are displayed in the lower portion of the lower imagedisplay panel 16. The images are images indicating game mode options andthe player touches a predetermined site of the touch panel 69corresponding to a display region of the image, and is thereby enabledto input a command for selecting a game mode.

The option “INSURANCE” corresponds to the with-insurance mode. Apredetermined number of credits (for example, number of creditsequivalent to 1 dollar) is required for selecting the with-insurancemode. As an alternative of the number of credits, a note or a coinequivalent to the number of credits may be directly inserted. In a casewhere the with-insurance mode has been selected, when the number ofgames reaches a set value (for example, 600) without a bonus game beinggenerated, the return mode flag is set to the state “ON” and a gamestate shifts to the return mode. In the payout return mode, the playercan receive payout of coins corresponding to the reservoir value. Inother words, in the with-insurance mode, a game can be played in a statewhere an insurance is carried for compensating all or part of a lossarising in a case where no bonus game has arisen for a long time. On theother hand, an option “NO INSURANCE” corresponds to thewithout-insurance mode. In a case where the without-insurance mode hasbeen selected, the return mode flag is not set to the state of “ON” anda game state does not shift to the payout return mode even if no bonusgame has arisen for a long time after the without-insurance mode isselected.

After the processing in step S3, the main CPU 41 determines whether thewith-insurance mode has been selected or not (step S4). In a case whereit is determined that the with-insurance mode has been selected, themain CPU conducts a processing for subtracting a predetermined number ofcredit from the number of credits stored in RAM 43 (step S5).Thereafter, the game execution processing in the with-insurance mode isconducted (step S6).

While detailed description of the above-mentioned processing will begiven later by making reference to FIG. 10, when played in thewith-insurance mode, an image showing “INSURED” is displayed in theupper left of the lower image display panel 16, as shown in FIG. 9B. Theimage is an image showing that a game mode is in the with-insurancemode.

On the other hand, in the case where, in step S4, it is determined thatthe without-insurance mode has been selected, the main CPU 41 conductsthe game execution processing in the without-insurance mode (step S7).Since this processing is a processing almost the same as the gameexecution processing in the with-insurance mode (see FIG. 10) exceptthat neither a processing related to transition to the return mode nor aprocessing related to counting of the number of games is conducted,description thereof is omitted here. When the processing in step S6 orS7 has been executed, the process is returned to step S3 thereafter.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a game executionprocessing in the with-insurance mode that is called and executed instep S6 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 8.

In the game execution processing, the main CPU 41 at first determineswhether or not a coin is BET (step S10). In the processing, the main CPU41 determines whether an input signal outputted from the 1-BET switch26S or the maximum BET switch 27S has been received or not when the1-BET button 26 or the maximum BET button 27 is operated, respectively.If it is determined that a coin has not been BET, the process returns tostep S10.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that a coin is BET,the main CPU 41 conducts a processing for subtracting the number ofcredits stored in RAM 43 according to the number of BET coins (stepS11). In a case where the number of BET coins is more than the number ofcredits stored in RAM 43, the process returns to step S10 withoutconducting subtraction on the number of credits stored in RAM 43. In acase where the number of BET coins exceeds the upper limit (50 coins inthe present embodiment) up to which a BET is possible in one game, theprocess advances to step S12 without conducting a processing forsubtracting the number of BET coins from the number of credits stored inRAM 43.

Then, the main CPU 41 determines whether the spin button 23 has beenturned ON or not (step S12). In the processing, the main CPU 41 ddetermines, when the spin button 23 is pressed, whether an input signaloutputted from the spin switch 23S has been received or not.

If it is determined that the spin button 23 has not been turned ON, theprocess returns to step S10. Note that in a case where the spin buttonhas not been turned ON (for example, in a case where a command ofterminating a game has been inputted without turning ON the spinbutton), the main CPU 41 cancels a result of the subtracting processingin step S11.

In the present embodiment, description will be given of a case in which:after a coin is BET (step S10), a processing for conducting subtractionon the number of credits (step S11) is conducted prior to thedetermination on whether the spin button has been turned ON or not (stepS12). However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, a processing for subtraction on the number of credits (stepS11) may be conducted after a coin is BET (step S10), determined whetherthe spin button 23 has been turned ON or not (step S12), and whendetermined that the spin button 23 has been turned ON (YES in step S12).

Meanwhile, in step S12 of FIG. 10, if it is determined that the spinbutton 23 has been turned ON therein, the main CPU 41 conducts a lotteryprocessing (step S13). In the lottery processing, the main CPU 41(processing device) executes a lottery program stored in RAM 43 (storagedevice) to thereby determine a code No. of the stopped reels 14. Thus, acombination of symbols stop displayed is determined. Detaileddescription of the processing will be given later by making reference toFIGS. 11 and 12. When the processing in step S13 is executed, the mainCPU 41 works as winning combination determination means for determininga winning combination by a lottery. In the present embodiment,description will be given of a case where a combination of symbols stopdisplayed is determined, and one winning combination of plural winningcombinations is determined thereafter. However, in the presentinvention, one winning combination selected from plural winningcombinations may at first be determined by a lottery, and thecombination of symbols to be stop displayed may be determinedthereafter, based on the determined winning combination.

Then, the main CPU 41 conducts a reel rotating control processing (stepS14). The processing is a processing which, after all of the reels 14starts to rotate, stops the rotating of each of the reels 14 such that acombination of symbol sequences corresponding to the winning combinationdetermined in step S13 is stop displayed on the winning line L. Detaileddescription of the processing will be given later by making reference toFIGS. 13 to 15.

Then, the main CPU 41 determines whether a bonus game trigger has beenestablished or not, that is whether “APPLE” is stop displayed in thedisplay window 15 or not (step S15) If it is determined that the bonusgame trigger has been established, the main CPU 41 (processing device)reads a program for conducting a bonus game from RAM 43 (storage device)to execute a bonus game processing (step S16). Here, the first specialgame state is generated. Detailed description of the bonus gameprocessing will be given later by making reference to FIG. 16. When theprocessing in step S16 is executed, the main CPU 41 functions as meansfor generating the first special game state.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the bonus game trigger hasnot been established, the main CPU 41 determines whether a regularwinning combination has been established or not (step S17). If it isdetermined that a regular winning combination has been established, themain CPU 41 determines the number of coin-out corresponding to thenumber of coin-in and the winning combination (step S18). At this time,the main CPU41 functions as a means for determining the number ofcoin-out. Subsequently, the main CPU 41 pays out the determined numberof coins (step S19). In a case where coins are reserved, the main CPU 41conducts a processing to add the coins to the number of credits storedin RAM 43. On the other hand, in a case where payout of a coin isconducted, the main CPU 41 transmits a control signal to the hopper 66and conducts payout of a predetermined number of coins. In thatsituation, the coin detecting section 67 counts the number of coins paidout from the hopper 66 and when the number of counts reaches adesignated number, transmits a payout completion signal to the main CPU41. Thus, the main CPU 41 stops the driving of the hopper 66 toterminate the coin payout processing.

It should be noted that in the present embodiment, an explanation isgiven concerning the case where the coins, in number equal to the numberof coin-out which was determined in step S18, are paid out in step S19.However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, coins in number obtained by subtracting the number of coins tobe added to the reservoir value from the number of coin-out which wasdetermined in step S18, may be paid out.

When the processing in step S16 or S19 is executed, or when it isdetermined that no winning combination has been established (that awinning combination has failed to be established) in step S17, the mainCPU 41 determines whether or not the return mode flag stored in RAM 43is set to the state “ON” (step S20). If it is determined that the returnmode flag has been set to the state “ON”, the main CPU 41 (processingdevice) reads from RAM 43 (storage device) a program for shifting a gamestate to the return mode, executes the return mode processing, to thusshift a game state to the return mode (step S21). Here, the secondspecial game state has been generated. Detailed description will begiven of the payout return mode processing later using FIG. 17. The mainCPU 41, when executing the processing in step S21, functions as meansfor generating the second special game state.

If the processing in step S21 has been executed, or if it is determinedthat the return mode flag has not been set to the state “ON” in stepS20, the main CPU 41 determines (step S22) whether or not the bonus gamehas been executed (step S16) or whether or not a game state has shiftedto the return mode (step S21).

If it is determined that a bonus game has not been executed, or that agame state has not shifted to the payout return mode, the main CPU 41executes a counting processing (step S23).

The counting processing is a processing conducted between the gamingmachine 10 and the control device 200. The number of coin-in and thenumber of coin-out for one game together with the gaming machineidentification number are transmitted to the control device 200. In thecontrol device 200, the number of games, an accumulative number ofcoin-in, an accumulative number of coin-out and the like are updatedwith respect to each gaming machine identification number. Further, 10%of the number of coin-out is added to the reservoir value.

When the number of games reaches a set value, the reservoir value atthat point is employed as the number of coin-out in the return mode, anda return command signal is transmitted to the gaming machine 10 from thecontrol device 200. The return command signal includes the reservoirvalue as data. The main CPU 41, when receiving the return commandsignal, sets the return mode flag to the state “ON”, and the reservoirvalue is stored in the RAM 43 as data. Detailed description of thecounting processing will be given later by making reference to FIG. 19.After the processing in step S23 is executed, the main CPU 41 returnsthe process to the processing in step S10, and subsequently executes agame in the with-insurance mode.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a bonus game has beenexecuted or a game state has shifted to the payout return mode, thepresent subroutine is completed and the process returns to theprocessing shown in FIG. 8. As a result, a player can once again selectwhether a game is to be played by the with-insurance mode or thewithout-insurance mode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a lottery processingcalled and executed in step S13 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 10. Theprocessing is a processing conducted by executing a lottery programstored in RAM 43 with the main CPU 41.

The main CPU 41 executes a random number generating program included inthe lottery program, and a random number value from the numerical valuerange of 0 to 255 is selected thereby such that each of the selectedrandom number values correspond to each of the three reels 14 (stepS31). In the present embodiment, description will be given of a casewhere random numbers are generated on a program (a case where so-calledsoftware random numbers are used). In the present invention, however, arandom number generator may be used, and random numbers may be extractedtherefrom (so-called hardware random numbers may be used).

After the random number values are selected, the main CPU 41 (processingdevice) refers to symbol weighting determination data corresponding topayout rate setting data which is outputted from GAL 54 and stored inRAM 43, and determines, based on the selected three random numbervalues, code Nos. (see FIG. 3) for each of the reels 14 (step S32). Thecode Nos. of the reels 14 correspond to code Nos. of the symbols stopdisplayed on the winning line L. The main CPU 41 determines code Nos. ofthe reels 14 to thereby determine a winning combination. For example, ina case where code Nos. of the reels 14 are determined “00”, “00” and“00”, it means that the main CPU 41 determined a winning combination as“JACKPOT”. Based on the code Nos. determined for each of the reels, areel rotating control processing which will be described later isconducted. On this occasion, the main CPU 41 functions as winningcombination determination means.

Here, description of a winning combination in the present embodimentwill be given.

FIG. 12 is a figure describing a relation ship among winningcombinations of plural kinds, establishment possibility of each winningcombination and the number of coin-out in the present embodiment. Theestablishment possibilities of each of the winning combinations shown inFIG. 12 are of a case where a payout rate is set to 88% in a game otherthan a bonus game. The establishment possibilities shown in the figureshow possibilities of the establishment of each of the shown winningcombinations in such a case that code Nos. of each of the reels 14 aredetermined based on the selected three random number values by referringto a symbol weighting determination data. In other words, the randomnumber values are not made to correspond to each of the winningcombinations.

An establishment possibility of a bonus game trigger is 0.5%. If aplayer hits the bonus game trigger, three “APPLE” symbols are stopdisplayed on the winning line L and a bonus game is generated. In thebonus game, executed is a free game of which the number of games isdetermined by a lottery.

An establishment possibility of “JACKPOT 7” is 0.5%. If the winningcombination has been established, three “JACKPOT 7” symbols are stopdisplayed on the winning line L, and 30 coins per one coin-in are paidout. The lower the establishment possibility of the winning combinationis, the higher the number of coin-out is set. For example, in the casethe number of coin-in is 50, when “JACKPOT 7” is formed, the number ofcoin-out is 1500(=50×30). It should be noted that in this case, a partof the number of coin-in to be added to the reservoir value is150(=1500×10%). When a combination of symbols stop displayed is nothitting any of the winning combinations shown in FIG. 12, this is afailure, and there is no coin-out.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a reel rotating control processing calledand executed in step S15 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 10. Thisprocessing is a processing conducted between the main CPU 41 and the subCPU 61.

The main CPU 41 transmits to the sub CPU 61 a start signal that startsthe rotating of reels (step S40). The sub CPU 61 conducts a reelrotating processing when it receives the start signal from the main CPU41 (step S51). In the processing, the sub CPU 61 supplies a pulse to themotor driving circuit 62. The pulse outputted from the sub CPU 61 isamplified by the driver 64 and supplied to each of the stepping motors70 (70L, 70C and 70R). As a result, the stepping motors 70 rotate,thereby making the reels 14 (14L, 14C and 14R) to rotate. A steppingmotor 70 is a 1-2 phase excitation type stepping motor which has a stepangle of 0.9 degree and requires the number of steps of 400 for onerotation. Hence, if 400 pulses are supplied to the stepping motor 70,the reels 14 rotate once.

When the reels 14 start to rotate, the sub CPU 61 supplies to the motordriving circuit 62 pulses at a lower frequency, and the pulse frequencyis gradually raised. A rotational speed of the reels 14 is therebyincreased. When a predetermined time elapses, the pulse frequency iscontrolled to be constant. As a result, the reels 14 rotate at aconstant speed.

Here, description of a rotational operation of the reels 14 will begiven by reference to FIGS. 14A to 14D.

FIGS. 14A to 14D are side views for describing a rotating operation of areel 14.

As shown in FIG. 14A, a semicircular metal plate 14 a is attached to theside surface of a reel 14. The metal plate 14 a rotates together withthe reel 14. Twenty-two symbols (see FIG. 3) are depicted on thecircumferential surface of the reel 14. Three symbols of the twenty-twosymbols depicted on the circumferential surface of the reel 14 can bevisually recognizable through the display window 15 formed in front ofthe reel 14. The arrow mark of a heavy line in the figure indicates arotating direction of the reel 14. A proximity sensor 65 a is providedon the side of the reel 14. The proximity sensor 65 a is used to detectthe metal plate 14 a. The proximity sensor 65 a does not rotate nor moveeven if the reel 14 rotates.

FIG. 14A shows a position of the meal plate 14 a when the metal plate 14a starts being detected by the proximity sensor 65 a (hereinafter alsoreferred to as a position A). If the reel 14 rotates when the metalplate 14 a is at the position A, the metal plate 14 a moves to aposition shown in FIG. 14B. FIG. 14B shows a position of the metal plate14 a when the metal plate 14 a is being detected by the proximity sensor65 a (hereinafter also referred to as a position B). If the reel 14rotates when the metal plate 14 a is at the position B, the metal plate14 a moves to a position shown in FIG. 14C. FIG. 14C shows a position ofthe metal plate 14 a when the metal plate 14 a will no longer bedetected by the proximity sensor 65 a (hereinafter also referred to as aposition C).

If the reel 14 rotates when the metal plate 14 a is at the position C,the metal plate 14 a moves to a position shown in FIG. 14D. FIG. 14Dshows a position of the metal plate 14 a when the metal plate 14 a isnot detected by the proximity sensor 65 a (hereinafter also referred toas a position D). If the reel 14 further rotates, a position of themetal plate 14 a returns to the position A. As described above, togetherwith the rotating of the reel 14, the metal plate 14 a changes itsposition in the order from the position A, to the position B, to theposition C, to the position D, to the position A and so forth.

The proximity sensor 65 a constitutes an index detecting circuit 65 (seeFIG. 3). When it is referred to as “High” at a state where the proximitysensor 65 a detects the metal plate 14 a, and as “Low” at a state wherethe proximity sensor 65 a does not detect the metal plate 14 a, a stateof the index detecting circuit 65 is “High” during the period when themetal plate 14 a moves from the position A to the position B and to theposition C, and a state of the index detecting circuit 65 is “Low”during the period when the metal plate 14 a moves from the position C tothe position D and to the position A. The sub CPU 61 assigns a rise from“Low” to “High” as an index (origin) 1 and a fall from “High” to “Low”as an index (origin) 2 to thereby recognize the rotating position of thereel 14.

The main CPU 40, after transmitting in step 40 a start signal to the subCPU 61, executes representation to be executed while the reels arerotating (step S41). The process is a processing which conducts displayof an image on the lower image display panel 16 and output of a soundfrom the speaker 29 over a period (for example, 3 seconds) determinedaccording to a result and the like of the lottery processing (step S13in FIG. 10).

Then, the main CPU 40 determines whether it is the timing at which acommand is to be issued so as to stop the rotating of the reel 14, ornot (step S42).

The timing at which a command is issued so as to stop rotation of a reel14 is a timing before the time when the representation to be executedwhile the reels are rotating is terminated, which is an interval havingthe minimum time necessary for stopping the rotating of the reel 14.Note that the minimum time necessary for stopping the rotating of thereel 14 is determined in advance.

If it is determined in step S42 that it is not the timing at which thecommand to stop the rotating of the reel 14 is to be issued, the processreturns to the processing in step S42 and the representation to beexecuted while the reels are rotating continues to be conducted. On theother hand, if it is determined in step S42 that it is the timing atwhich the command to stop the rotating of the reel 14 is to be issued,the main CPU 41 transmits to the sub CPU 61 a code No. of the reel whichis stored in RAM 43 (step S43). When the sub CPU 61 receives a code No.of the reel from the main CPU 41, the code No. is converted to astopping position of the reel (the number of steps) from an index, basedon a correspondence table between the number or steps and the code Nos.stored in ROM (not shown in the figure) included in the sub CPU 61 (stepS52).

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence table betweenthe number of steps and the code No. Each of the code Nos. is related toan index and the number of steps.

Each code No. corresponds to the symbols depicted on the circumferentialsurfaces of the reels 14 (see FIG. 3) and symbols of code Nos. “00” to“10” correspond to the index 1. Moreover, symbols of code Nos. “11” to“21” correspond to the index 2. The number of steps in thecorrespondence table shown in FIG. 15 is the number of steps with theindex 1 as a reference. For example, if a code No. is “08”, a stoppingposition of the reel is at 145 steps from the index 1. If a code No. is“12”, a stopping position of the reel is at 218 steps from the index 1.

Then, the sub CPU 61 executes a reel stopping processing (step S53). Inthe processing, the sub CPU 61 detects a rise in the index detectingcircuit 65 from “Low” to “High” (the index 1) on each of the reels 14,and supplies to the motor driving circuit 65 pulses corresponding to thenumber of steps which were converted in step S52 from a code No. at atiming at which the index 1 is detected, and supply of pulses is ceasedthereafter.

For example, when, in step S52, the stopping positions of the reels aredetermined to be 145 steps from the index 1, the sub CPU 61 supplies 145pulses to the motor driving circuit 65 at a timing at which the index 1is detected, and the supply of pulses is terminated thereafter.Furthermore, when, in step S52, the stopping positions of the reels aredetermined to be 218 steps from the index 1, the sub CPU 61 supplies 218pulses to the motor driving circuit 65 at a timing at which the index 1is detected. As a result, the reels 14 stop at the code No. determinedin step 32 of FIG. 11 and the combination of symbols corresponding tothe winning combination determined in step S32 of FIG. 11 is stopdisplayed on the winning line L. On the other hand, the main CPU 41terminates the representation to be executed while the reels arerotating. After the processing in steps S44 and S53 are over, thepresent reel rotating control processing is completed.

Moreover, when an index corresponding to the code No. transmitted instep S43 is different from an index detected by the index detectingcircuit 65 when the rotating of the reels 14 stop, this means that anout-of-order state occurred on the reels 14; therefore, the main CPU 41conducts a processing for displaying an error message on the lower imagedisplay panel 16 to temporarily stop a game.

For example, in a case where, even though a processing for stopping thereel 14L was executed at the code No. 12 corresponding to the index 2,the index 1 is detected by the index detecting circuit 65 when therotating of the reel 14L stops, the game is temporarily stopped.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a bonus game processingcalled and executed in step S16 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 10. Inthe bonus game processing, firstly, the main CPU 41 determines a numberT of bonus games from 10 to 25 games, based on a random number valueobtained by executing a random number. generation program included in alottery program stored in RAM 43 (step S60). The main CPU 41 stores asdata into RAM 43 the number of games of the determined bonus games.

Next, the main CPU 41 conducts a lottery processing (step S61) and areel rotating control processing (step S63). The processing in step S61is a processing almost the same as the processing described using FIG.11. The processing in step S63 is a processing almost the same as theprocessing described using FIG. 13. Since descriptions of theseprocessing have already been given, descriptions thereof are omittedherein.

Then, the main CPU 41 determines whether a bonus game trigger has beenestablished or not, that is, whether three “APPLE” are stop displayed inthe display windows 15 or not (step S64). If it is determined that thebonus game trigger has been established, the number t of additionalgames of the bonus game is determined in a lottery (step S65) and thedetermined number t of additional games is added to the number T ofgames of the bonus game (step S66). Thus, when a bonus game is hitduring the bonus game, a remaining number of bonus games increases. Morespecifically, for example, in a case where a game state shifts to 20bonus games for the first time, and hits 17 bonus games upon conducting12 of the bonus games, another 25 bonus games (20 bonus games−12 bonusgames+17 bonus games) are to be conducted.

If a bonus game trigger has not been established, the main CPU 41determines whether a winning combination has been established or not(step S67). If it is determined that the winning combination has beenestablished, the main CPU 41 conducts payout of coins corresponding tothe number of coin-in and the winning combination (step S68). Since theprocessing is similar to the processing in step S19 and descriptionthereof has already been given, the description of the presentprocessing is omitted herein.

In a case where the processing in step S66 or S68 has been executed, orif it is determined in step S67 that any winning combination has notbeen established (if it is determined that a failure has occurred), themain CPU 41 reads the number T of bonus games stored in RAM 43, and onebonus game is subtracted from the read number T of bonus games. Thenumber T of bonus games after the subtraction is again stored into RAM43 (step S69).

Then, the main CPU 41 determines whether the number T of bonus gamesreaches the number of games determined in step S60 or not (step S70).More specifically, it is determined whether the number T of games storedin RAM 43 has become 0 or not, and if the number T of games is not 0,that is, if it is determined that the number of bonus games played doesnot reach the number of games which were determined in step S60, theprocess returns to step S61 and the above-mentioned processing isrepeated. On the other hand, if the number T of games is 0, that is, ifit is determined that the number T of games has reached the number ofgames which were determined in step S60, a number-of-games reset signalis transmitted to the control device 200 (step S71), and the presentsubroutine is completed thereafter. The number-of-games reset signalincludes the gaming machine identification information of the gamingmachine 10, and CPU 201 of the control device 200, when receiving thenumber-of-games reset signal, resets to 0 the number of games of whichis stored in the hard disc drive 205 by being made to correspond to thegaming machine identification information included in thenumber-of-games reset signal.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a return mode processingcalled and executed in step S21 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 10.

Firstly, based on a reservoir value, the main CPU 41 extracts image datafrom image data which is stored in the RAM 43, and, based on the imagedata, displays an image according to the reservoir value on the lowerimage display panel 16 (step S80).

The image data showing the image according to the reservoir value isincluded in a game program which is read from the memory card 53 andstored in the RAM 43. In this game program, a plurality of kinds ofimage data are included as image data each showing an image according tothe reservoir value.

Based on the reservoir value stored in RAM 43, the main CPU 41determines the image to be displayed on the lower image display panel16. In the graphic mode 68, VDP extracts from RAM 43 image datacorresponding to the set value, expands the data on the video RAM,produces image data for one frame and outputs the image data to thelower image display panel 16. As a result, for example, images as shownin FIGS. 18A and 18B are displayed on the lower image display panel 16.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are figures showing an example of image displayed onthe lower image display panel when a game state shifts to the returnmode (when the second special game state is generated). Numericalreference 15 (15L, 15C and 15R) in the figures indicates displaywindows. An image shown in FIG. 18A is an image displayed on the lowerimage display panel 16 when a game state shifts to the return mode witha reservoir value less than a predetermined value (e.g., 2000). On thelower image display panel 16, an image showing “BONUS !!”, together withtwo images showing fireworks are displayed. An image showing “TIME OFPLAY 600” is also displayed in the lower portion of the lower imagedisplay panel 16. This image is an image showing that the number ofgames reached 600.

An image shown in FIG. 18B is an image displayed on the lower imagedisplay panel 16 when a game state shifts to the return mode with areservoir value equal to or larger than a predetermined value (e.g.,2000). On the lower image display panel 16, an image showing “BONUS !!”,together with six images showing fireworks are displayed. An imageshowing “TIME OF PLAY 600” is also displayed in the lower portion of thelower image display panel 16.

As described by means of FIGS. 18A and 18B, in the present invention, itis desirable to change contents of representation in the return modeaccording to the reservoir value, since this can enhance an interest inthe return mode.

Then, based on the reservoir value, the main CPU 41 extracts sound datafrom sound data stored in the RAM 43, and based on the sound data,outputs from the speaker 29 a sound corresponding to the reservoir value(step S81).

The sound data showing sound according to the reservoir value isincluded in the game program which has been read from the memory card 53and stored in the RAM 43. In this game program, a plurality of kinds ofsound data are included as sound data each showing sound according tothe reservoir value.

Based on the reservoir value stored in the RAM 43, the main CPU 41determines the sound to be outputted from the speaker 29. The main CPU41 extracts a sound data from RAM 43, based on the result determined,and converts the sound data to a sound signal to supply the signal tothe speaker 29.

Then, the main CPU 41 conducts payout of the number of coins, the numbercorresponding to the reservoir value stored in the RAM 43 (step S82).The number of coin-out in step S82 is the number of coin-out in thereturn mode and equals to the number (reservoir value) obtained byaccumulatively adding a part of the number of coin-out according to theregular winning combination. The reservoir value is included as data inthe return command signal transmitted to the gaming machine 10 from thecontrol device 200 in step S23 of FIG. 10. The reservoir value is storedas data in the RAM 43 of the gaming machine 10 which received the returncommand signal.

In a case where coins are reserved, the main CPU 41 conducts aprocessing for adding the number of credits stored in RAM 43. On theother hand, in a case where the coins are to be paid out, the main CPU41 transmits a control signal to the hopper 66 to conduct apredetermined number of coin-out. In the payout of coins, the coindetecting section 67 counts the number of coins paid out from the hopper66 and when the number of counts reaches a designated number, andtransmits a payout completion signal to the main CPU 41. The main CPU 41thereby ceases the driving of the hopper 66 to end the coin-outprocessing, sets the return mode flag to the state “OFF” (step S83)thereafter, and thus the present subroutine is completed.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a counting processing called and executedin step S23 of the subroutine shown in FIG. 10.

The processing is a processing conducted between the main CPU 41 of agaming machine 10 and CPU 201 of the control device 200.

To begin with, the main CPU 41 transmits by the communication interface44 the number of coin-in and the number of coin-out stored in RAM 43together with the gaming machine identification number to the controldevice 200 through the communication line 101 (step S90). The number ofcoin-in and the number of coin-out transmitted to the control device 200from the gaming machine 10 are those of the game concerned.

The processing in step S90 is a processing in which the main CPU 41(processing device) transmits the identification information of thegaming machine 10 stored in the main RAM 43 (storage device) to thecontrol device 200 through the communication line 101, each time a gameis played. When the processing in step S90 is executed, the main CPU 41functions as means for transmitting the identification information ofthe gaming machine 10 to the control device 200 through thecommunication line 101.

On the other hand, the CPU 201 of the control device 200, when receivingfrom the gaming machine 10 the number of coin-in, the number of coin-outand the gaming machine identification number through the communicationline 101 by the communication interface 204, updates the number ofgames, the accumulative number of coin-in and the accumulative number ofcoin-out corresponding to the received gaming machine identificationnumber (step S100), by choosing the data, which are made to correspondto each of the gaming machine identification numbers, of the number ofgames, the accumulative number of coin-in, the accumulative number ofcoin-out stored in the hard disc drive 205 (see FIG. 6).

Next, the CPU 201 reads the reservoir value stored in the RAM 43, andadds a part (e.g., 10%) of the number of coin-out to the reservoirvalue, which is then stored in the RAM 43 again, so that the reservoirvalue is updated (step S101).

Then, CPU 201 determines whether the number of games after the updatinghas reached the set value or not (step S102). If it is determined thatthe number of games after the updating has not reached the set value,the subroutine is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the number ofgames after the updating has reached the set value, CPU 201 transmits areturn command signal showing the reservoir value stored in the harddisc drive 205 in accordance with the gaming machine identificationnumber of the gaming machine 10 through the communication line 101 bythe communication interface 204 to the gaming machine 10 (step S103).

Thereafter, CPU 201 resets to 0 the number of games stored in the harddisc drive 205 in accordance with the gaming machine identificationnumber of the gaming machine 10 (step S104). In succession thereto, CPU201 resets the reservoir value to 0 (step S105).

The main CPU 41 of the gaming machine 10, when receiving the returncommand signal transmitted from the control device 200 in step S103,sets the return mode flag to the state “ON” (step S91). The processingin step S91 is a processing for receiving a command signal transmittedfrom the control device 200 when the number of games accumulativelycounted by the control device 200 based on the identificationinformation of the gaming machine 10 reaches a set value. In step S91,the main CPU 41 functions as means for receiving a command signaltransmitted from the control device 200. The main CPU 41 thereafterstores into the RAM 43 data showing the reservoir value included in thereturn command signal (step S92). Thereafter, the present processing isterminated.

In the present embodiment, description has been given of a case where agame state shifts to the return mode when the number of games reaches aset value (see FIG. 19). The present invention is, however, not limitedto this example. For example, in a case where the number of insertedgame media for a game played by the player is at the upper limit valuethat can be accepted in one game when the number of games reaches theset value, the second special game state may be generated (the gamestate shifts to the return mode). This is because in such a case, aplayer can be urged to insert game media up to the upper limit and afacility such as a casino and the like can increase a profit.

Moreover, in a case where the second special game state is generatedwhen the number of inserted game media is at the upper limit value, thesecond special game state may be generated not when the number of gamesreaches the set value, but when the number of inserted game media is atthe upper limit value for a game played by a player when the number ofgames in which insertion of game media is conducted to the upper limitvalue reaches a set value. This is because, in such a case, it can beprevented from a small number of game media to be inserted in a game,thereby leading to a fact that the second special game state isgenerated by the spending of only a small number of game media in total.

According to the present embodiment, the gaming machine 10 includes themain CPU41 (processing device) and RAM 43 (storage device), and

is connected through the communication line 101 to the control device200 which accumulatively counts the number of games in each gamingmachine 10 of plural gaming machines 10,

wherein

the main CPU 41 executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in RAM 43 (see FIG. 11);

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for generating a bonus game(the first special game state) when the determined winning combinationis a special winning combination, “bonus game trigger”, and executingthe program (see FIG. 16);

a processing determining the number of coin-out according to a regularwinning combination when the determined winning combination is theregular winning combination other than the special winning combination,“bonus game trigger” (step S18 in FIG. 10);

a processing transmitting through the communication line to the controldevice 200 the identification information of the gaming machine 10stored in RAM 43 each time a game is played (step S90 in FIG. 19);

a processing for receiving a command signal transmitted from the controldevice when the number of games accumulatively counted, based on theidentification information of the gaming machine, by the control device200 reaches a set value (step S91 in FIG. 19); and

a processing reading, based on the command signal, from RAM 43 a programfor performing transition to the return mode (the generating of thesecond special game state) wherein the number of coin-out is determinedaccording to the reservoir value and executing the program (see FIG.17).

The gaming machine 10 is connected through the communication line 101 tothe control device 200 which accumulatively counts the number of gamesin each gaming machine 10 of plural gaming machines 10

wherein

the gaming machine 10 comprises:

winning combination determination means (for example, the main CPU 41)for determining a winning combination by lottery;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for generating a bonus game (thefirst special game state) when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for determining the number ofcoin-out according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than thespecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for transmitting the identificationinformation of the gaming machine 10 through the communication line 101to the control device 200 each time a game runs;

means (for example, The main in CPU 41) for receiving a command signaltransmitted from the control device 200 when the number of gamesaccumulatively counted by the control device 200 based on theidentification information of the gaming machine reaches a set value;and

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for generating the second specialgame state based on the command signal wherein the number of game mediato be paid out is determined according to the reservoir value.

According to the gaming machine 10, a game state shifts to the returnmode without fail by receiving a command signal transmitted from thecontrol device 200 when the number of games counted in the controldevice 200 reaches a set value. Hence, even in a case where many coinsare spent without the generating of the first special game state for along period, the game state shifts to the return mode without fail ifthe game is played until the number of games reaches a set value, and aplayer can earn a profit from the game.

Further, the larger the number of regular winning combinations havingbeen won until the game state shifts to the return mode is, the largerthe number of coin-out that can be obtained in the return mode becomes.Therefore, even when the bonus game is not generated for a long periodof time, so long as a large number of regular winning combinations havebeen won, the player can receive a return according to his or her gameresults in the return mode, for example by obtaining a large number ofcoins.

Therefore, it can be prevented for a player who has spent many coinsfrom feeling unpleasant against the game, building up distrust thereto,or losing interest in or a concern on the game.

A gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment is connected tothe control device 200 through the communication line 101 and thecontrol device 200 conducts counting of the number of games in thegaming machine 10 and determines whether the game state is to be shiftedto the return mode or not (whether the second special game state is tobe generated or not). The gaming machine 10 is not required to use anetwork and may be standalone.

A standalone gaming machine 10 according to the present inventionincludes: the main CPU 41 (processing device) and RAM 43 (storagedevice),

wherein

the main CPU 41 executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combination determined in advance by executing a lottery programstored in RAM 43;

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for generating a bonus game(the first special game state) when the determined winning combinationis a special winning combination, “bonus game trigger”, and executingthe program;

a processing determining the number of coin-out according to a regularwinning combination when the determined winning combination is theregular winning combination other than the special winning combination,“bonus game trigger”;

a processing accumulatively counting a part of the number of coin-outaccording to the regular winning combination;

a processing accumulatively counting the number of games each time agame is played;

a processing determining whether the number of games reaches a set valueor not; and

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for executing transition tothe return mode (the generating of the second special game state)wherein the number of coin-out is determined according to the reservoirvalue when it is determined that the number of games has reached the setvalue, and executing the program.

The gaming machine 10 includes:

winning combination determination means (for example, the main CPU 41)for determining a winning combination by a lottery;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for generating a bonus game whenthe determined winning combination is a special winning combination,“bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for determining the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to a regular winning combination when thedetermined winning combination is the regular winning combination otherthan the special winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for accumulatively counting a partof the number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for accumulatively counting thenumber of games each time a game is played;

means (for example, main CPU 41) for determining whether or not thenumber of games reaches a set value; and

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for conducting transition to thereturn mode (the generating of the second special game state) whereinthe number of game media to be paid out is determined according to thereservoir value when the number of games is determined to have reached aset value.

While the gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment shiftsto the return mode (the generating of the second special game state)when the number of games reaches a set value, the present invention isnot limited to this example. The gaming machine 10 of the presentinvention may shift to the return mode (the generating of the secondspecial game state) when a payment balance in terms of coins is equal toor less than a set value.

Such a gaming machine 10 includes: the main CPU 41(processing device)and RAM 43 (storage device), and

is connected through the communication line 101 to the control device200 which accumulatively counts the payment balance in terms of coins ineach gaming machine 10 of plural gaming machines 10, and

wherein

the main CPU 41 executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in RAM 43;

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for generating a bonus game(the first special game state) when the determined winning combinationis a special winning combination, “bonus game trigger”, and executingthe program;

a processing determining the number of coin-out according to a regularwinning combination when the determined winning combination is theregular winning combination other than the special winning combination,“bonus game trigger”;

a processing transmitting through the communication line 101 to thecontrol device 200 the number of coin-in and the number of coin-out inone game which is stored in RAM 43, together with the identificationinformation of the gaming machine 10, each time a game is played;

a processing receiving a command signal transmitted from the controldevice 200 when, a payment balance in terms of coins accumulativelycounted by the control device 200 based on the identificationinformation of the gaming machine 10, the number of coin-in and thenumber of coin-out in the game reaches a value equal to or less than aset value; and

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for conducting transition tothe return mode (the generating of the second special game state)wherein the number of coin-out is determined according to the reservoirvalue based on the command signal, and executing the program.

The gaming machine 10 includes:

winning combination determination means (for example, the main CPU 41)for determining a winning combination by a lottery;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for generating a bonus game (thefirst special game state) when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for determining the number ofcoin-out according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than thespecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for transmitting through thecommunication line 101 to the control device 200 a payment balance interms of coins in a game played, together with the identificationinformation of the gaming machine 10, each time a game is played;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for receiving a command signaltransmitted from the control device 200 when the payment balance interms of coins accumulatively counted by the control device 200 based onthe identification information of the gaming machine 10 and the paymentbalance in terms of coins in the game played falls to or below a setvalue; and

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for, based on the command signal,conducting transition to the return mode (the generating of the secondspecial game state) wherein the number of coin-out is determinedaccording to the reservoir value.

Such gaming machine 10 shifts to the return mode wherein the number ofcoin-out is determined according to the reservoir value without fail, ina case where it receives a command signal transmitted from the controldevice 200 when a payment balance in terms of coins counted in thecontrol device 200 falls to or below a set value. In the return mode,the larger the number of winning combinations having been won untilgeneration of the return mode is, the more coins the player can obtain.Therefore, even when the bonus game is not generated for a long periodof time and a large number of coins have been consumed, so long as thegame is played such that the payment balance in terms of coins falls toor below the set value, the game state shifts to the return mode and theplayer can receive a return according to his or her game results.Therefore, it can be prevented for a player who has spent many coinsfrom feeling unpleasant against the game, building up distrust thereto,or losing interest in or a concern on the game.

The gaming machine 10 is connected through the communication line 101 tothe control device 200 and the control device 200 counts payment balancein terms of coins in the gaming machine 10, and determines whether agame state is to be shifted to the return mode or not (whether thesecond special game state is to be generated or not). The gaming machine10 is, however, not necessarily required to be those using a network andmay be standalone.

Such a gaming machine 10 includes: the main CPU 41 (processing device)and RAM 43 (storage device),

wherein

the main CPU 41 executes:

a processing determining one winning combination selected from pluralwinning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in RAM 43;

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for generating a bonus game(the first special game state) when the determined winning combinationis a special winning combination, “bonus game trigger”, and executingthe program;

a processing determining the number of coin-out according to a regularwinning combination when the determined winning combination is theregular winning combination other than the special winning combination,“bonus game trigger”;

a processing accumulatively counting a part of the number of coin-outaccording to the regular winning combination;

a processing accumulatively counting a payment balance in terms of gamemedia each time a game is played;

a processing determining whether or not a payment balance in terms ofgame media is equal to or less than a set value; and

a processing reading from RAM 43 a program for conducting transition tothe return mode (the generating of the second special game state)wherein the number of coin-out is determined according to the reservoirvalue when it is determined that a payment balance in terms of gamemedia is equal to or less than a set value, and executing the program.

This gaming machine 10 includes:

winning combination determination means (for example, the main CPU 41)for determining a winning combination by a lottery;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for generating a bonus game (thefirst special game state) when the determined winning combination is aspecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for determining the number ofcoin-out according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than thespecial winning combination, “bonus game trigger”;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for accumulatively counting a partof the number of coin-out according to the regular winning combination;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for accumulatively counting apayment balance in terms of game media, each time a game is played;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for determining whether or not apayment balance in terms of game media is equal to or less than a setvalue;

means (for example, the main CPU 41) for conducting transition to thereturn mode (the generating of the second special game state) whereinthe number of coin-out is determined according to the reservoir valuewhen it is determined that the payment balance in terms of game media isequal to or less than a set value.

In the present embodiment, description has been given of a case where agame state shifts to the return mode when the return mode flag has beenset to the state “ON”, without other conditions being established thereafter. The present invention is, however, not limited to this exampleand, for example, a game state may shift to the return mode when apredetermined condition has been met after the return mode flag is setto the state “ON”. In such a case, the predetermined condition fortransition to the return mode is not particularly limited, and mayinclude, for example, establishment of a bonus game trigger, stopdisplay of a predetermined combination of symbols, and of the likeconditions.

In the present embodiment, description has been given of a case where agame state shifts to the return mode when the return mode flag is set tothe state “ON”, regardless of the combination of symbols stop displayedthereafter. However, the present invention is not limited to thisexample. For example, a combination of symbols corresponding to thetransition to the return mode may be set in advance and a game state mayshift to the return mode after the symbols are stop displayed in thatwinning combination.

In the present embodiment, description has been given of a case wheresymbols are stop displayed (step S14 in FIG. 10), a processing isconducted based on the stop displayed combination of symbols (steps S15to S21 in FIG. 10), and the number of games is counted (step S23 in FIG.10) thereafter. In the present invention, however, no specificlimitation is placed on a timing at which counting of the number ofgames is conducted. For example, the timing may be a timing at which BETof a coin is conducted (after step S10 or S11 in FIG. 10) or a timing atwhich the spin button is turned ON (after step S12 in FIG. 10). Thenumber of games may be counted at a predetermined timing that is in theperiod from the time when display of a change in symbol is started, tothe time when symbol sequences are stop displayed, and a processingbased on the stop displayed combination of symbols has been conducted(for example, a timing at which symbol sequences are stop displayed).Note that a timing at which a payment balance in terms of game media canbe the same as described above.

In the present embodiment, description has been given of a gamingmachine 10 in which in a case where a special winning combination,“bonus game trigger”, has been established (step S15 in FIG. 10) in theperiod from the time when the return mode flag is set to the state “ON”(step S23 in FIG. 10), to the time when transition to the return mode isconducted (step S21 in FIG. 10), transitions to the return mode isfurther conducted after the bonus game is generated (step S16 in FIG.10). That is, a gaming machine according to the present embodimentgenerates the first special game state based on the a special winningcombination, and further generates the second special game state, in acase where the special winning combination is established in the periodfrom the time when the number of games reaches a set value, to the timewhen the second special game state is generated.

However, the present invention is not limited to this example. Forexample, in a case where a special winning combination is established inthe period from the time when the number of games reaches a set value,to the time when the second special game state is generated, only thefirst special game state may be generated. In a case where the aboveembodiment is adopted, a player can earn a profit in the-first specialgame state or the second special game state without fail when a game isplayed until the number of games reaches the set value. The aboveembodiment is one of the embodiments of the present invention. In a casewhere the above embodiment is adopted for the gaming machine 10, forexample, the following processing has only to be conducted instead ofthe processing shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing another example of a subroutine of a gameexecution processing. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 20, the samenumerical references are assigned to steps which conduct processingsimilar to those in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10.

After the processing in steps S10 to S14 are executed, the main CPU 41determines whether a bonus game trigger has been established or not(step S15) and if it is determined that the bonus game trigger has beenestablished, a bonus game processing is executed (step S16). Then, it isdetermined whether a return mode flag is set to the state “ON” or not(step S25) and if the return mode flag is set to “ON”, the return modeflag is set to the state “OFF” (step S26). The processing in step S22 isperformed there after and thus the present subroutine is completed.Since the other processing are processing similar to those described inFIG. 10, descriptions thereof are omitted here. In the subroutine shownin FIG. 20, after a coins is BET (step S10), in a case where it isdetermined whether the spin button 23 has been turned ON or not (stepS12), and if it is determined that the spin button has been turned ON(YES in step S12), a processing for subtracting the number of credits(step S11) may be conducted, as in the subroutine shown in FIG. 10.

A more specific description of the processing shown in FIG. 20 will begiven here with a case where a set value is 600. In a case where, instep S23, the number of games reaches 600 and a return mode flag hasbeen established, if a bonus game trigger has been established (stepS15) in the 601st game, the bonus game is generated (step S16) buttransition to the return mode is not performed (steps S25 and S26). Onthe other hand, in a case where a bonus game trigger has not beenestablished in the 601st game run, transition to the return mode isconducted (steps S20 and S21).

Hence, in a case where the processing shown in FIG. 20 is performed, abonus game is generated or transition to the return mode is performedwithout fail, when the number of games reaches a set value.

In the present invention, in a case where a special winning combinationhas been established in the period from the time when the number ofgames reaches a set value, to the time when the second special gamestate is generated, only the second special game state may be generated,or alternatively, either the first special game state or the secondspecial game state may be generated depending on a game situation andthe like.

An embodiment similar to the above-mentioned embodiment can also beadopted in a case where the second special game state is generatedaccording to a payment balance in terms of game media. In other words,in a case where a special winning combination has been established inthe period from the time when a payment balance in terms of game mediais equal to or less than a set value, to the time when the secondspecial game state is generated, only the first special game state maybe generated, only the second special game state may be generated, oreither the first special game state or the second special game state maybe generated depending on a game situation and the like.

Although this will be a repetition, in the return mode as the secondspecial game state, a return situation to a player may be simply as suchthat a predetermined number of game media is paid out when the number ofgames reaches a set value (see FIG. 17). It may alternatively be asituation that when the number of games reaches a set value, the returnmode as the second special game state, allowing a player to have aprivilege in a similar manner to the first special game state such as afree game, a second game, a mystery game and the like, can be set, and apredetermined number of game media is paid out by one of theabove-mentioned game mode.

In the aforementioned embodiment, both embodiments are exemplified. Bothembodiments correspond to the second special game state in the presentinvention.

A timing at which a predetermined number of game media is paid out isnot limited to such a timing at which one game is completed and symbolsequences are stop displayed as in the mystery game described above, andfor example, game media may be immediately paid out when the number ofgames reaches a set value.

Moreover, a method for paying out a predetermined number of game mediais also not particularly limited, and for example, coins may be actuallypaid out, the number of credits may be increased, or a ticket such as aticket with a bar code may be issued.

However, in order to be able to discriminate and recognize whether aplayer is paid out by an ordinary game or a bonus game (the firstspecial game state), or by the return mode (the second special gamestate), it is necessary to perform the following way. That is, in a casewhere coins are actually paid out in mystery bonus of the return mode(the second special game state), the timing for payout is required to bedifferent from those of an ordinary game and bonus game (the firstspecial game state). Moreover, it is required that payout in an ordinarygame and a bonus game (the first special game state) is performed withactual coins and payout in the return mode (the second special gamestate) is performed with a ticket described above. With such anembodiment adopted, payout in an ordinary game and a bonus game (thefirst special game state), and payout in the return mode (the secondspecial game state) can be discriminated from each other.

Concerning the embodiment according to the present invention, anexplanation was given of the case where, when the number of gamesreaches a set value, a game state shifts to the return mode (the secondspecial game state) wherein the number of game media to be paid out isdetermined based on the number obtained by accumulatively counting apart of the number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination other than the special winning combination. However,the present invention is not limited to the above example. In thepresent invention, there may be a case where a game state shifts to thereturn mode (the second special game state) wherein the number of gamemedia to be paid out is determined based on the number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination and the special winningcombination so as to include a part of the number of coin-out in thebonus game generated by establishment of the special winning combination“bonus game trigger”.

Although the embodiment according to the present invention has beendescribed, the description presents only some of the specific examples,and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way andspecific constructions of each means and the like can be properlychanged in terms of design. Besides, the effects described in theembodiment of the present invention are only the most preferable effectsgenerated from the present invention and-effects to be caused by thepresent invention is not limited to those described in the embodiment ofthe present invention.

1. A gaming machine comprising: winning combination determination meansfor determining a winning combination by a lottery; means for generatinga first special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination; means for determining the number of game media to be paidout according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than saidspecial winning combination; and means for, when the number of gamesaccumulatively counted each time a game is played reaches a set valueset as an object of comparison with said number of games, generating asecond special game state where the number of game media to be paid outis determined according to a number obtained by accumulatively countinga part of said number of game media to be paid out according to theregular winning combination.
 2. A gaming machine connected through acommunication line to a control device which counts the number of gamesaccumulatively for every gaming machine of plural gaming machines,comprising: winning combination determination means for determining awinning combination by a lottery; means for generating a first specialgame state that is a game state advantageous to a player when thedetermined winning combination is a special winning combination; meansfor determining the number of game media to be paid out according to aregular winning combination when the determined winning combination isthe regular winning combination other than said special winningcombination; means for transmitting an identification information of thegaming machine to said control device through said communication lineeach time a game is played; means for receiving a command signaltransmitted from said control device when said number of gamesaccumulatively counted by said control device based on saididentification information of the gaming machine reaches a set value setas an object of comparison with said number of games; and means forgenerating a second special game state based on said command signalwhere the number of game media to be paid out is determined according toa number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of said number ofgame media to be paid out according to the regular winning combination.3. A gaming machine comprising: winning combination determination meansfor determining a winning combination by a lottery; means for generatinga first special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination; means for determining the number of game media to be paidout according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than saidspecial winning combination; means for accumulatively counting a part ofsaid number of game media to be paid out according to the regularwinning combination; means for counting accumulatively the number ofgames each time a game is played; means for determining whether or notsaid number of games has reached a set value set as an object ofcomparison with said number of games; and means for, when said number ofgames is determined to have reached said set value, generating a secondspecial game state where the number of game media to be paid out isdetermined according to a number obtained by accumulatively counting apart of said number of game media to be paid out according to theregular winning combination.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1,wherein reception means that can accept for one game an insertion ofgame media up to a predetermined upper limit value is provided, and saidmeans for generating said second special game state generates saidsecond special game state in a case where the number of inserted gamemedia for the game played by the player is equal to said upper limitvalue when said number of games reaches said set value.
 5. A gamingmachine equipped with a processing device and a storage device, whereinsaid processing device executes: a processing determining one winningcombination selected from plural winning combinations determined inadvance by executing a lottery program stored in said storage device; aprocessing reading from said storage device a program for generating afirst special game state that is a game state advantageous to a playerwhen the determined winning combination is a special winningcombination, and executing said program; a processing determining thenumber of game media to be paid out according to a regular winningcombination when the determined winning combination is the regularwinning combination other than said special winning combination; and aprocessing reading from said storage device, when the number of gamesaccumulatively counted each time a game is played reaches a set valueset as an object of comparison with said number of games, a program forgenerating a second special game state where the number of game media tobe paid out is determined according to a number obtained byaccumulatively counting a part of said number of game media to be paidout according to the regular winning combination, and executing saidprogram.
 6. A gaming machine equipped with a processing device and astorage device, and connected through a communication line to a controldevice which counts the number of games accumulatively for every gamingmachine of plural gaming machines, wherein said processing deviceexecutes: a processing determining one winning combination selected fromplural winning combinations determined in advance by executing a lotteryprogram stored in said storage device; a processing reading from saidstorage device a program for generating a first special game state thatis a game state advantageous to a player when the determined winningcombination is a special winning combination, and executing saidprogram; a processing determining the number of game media to be paidout according to a regular winning combination when the determinedwinning combination is the regular winning combination other than saidspecial winning combination; a processing transmitting an identificationinformation of the gaming machine stored in said storage device to saidcontrol device through said communication line each time a game isplayed; a processing receiving a command signal transmitted from saidcontrol device when said number of games accumulatively counted by saidcontrol device based on said identification information of the gamingmachine reaches a set value set as an object of comparison with saidnumber of games; and a processing reading from said storage device aprogram for generating a second special game state based on said commandsignal where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to a number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of saidnumber of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination, and executing said program.
 7. A gaming machine equippedwith a processing device and a storage device, wherein said processingdevice executes: a processing determining one winning combinationselected from plural winning combinations determined in advance byexecuting a lottery program stored in said storage device; a processingreading from said storage device a program for generating a firstspecial game state that is a game state advantageous to a player whenthe determined winning combination is a special winning combination, andexecuting said program; a processing determining the number of gamemedia to be paid out according to a regular winning combination when thedetermined winning combination is the regular winning combination otherthan said special winning combination; a processing accumulativelycounting a part of said number of game media to be paid out according tothe regular winning combination; a processing counting accumulativelythe number of games each time a game is played; a processing determiningwhether or not said number of games has reached a set value set as anobject of comparison with said number of games; and a processing readingfrom said storage device, when said number of games is determined tohave reached said set value, a program for generating a second specialgame state where the number of game media to be paid out is determinedaccording to a number obtained by accumulatively counting a part of saidnumber of game media to be paid out according to the regular winningcombination, and executing said program.
 8. The gaming machine accordingto claim 5, wherein said processing device executes a program forgenerating said second special game state when said number of gamesreaches said set value in a case where the number of inserted game mediafor a game played by the player is the upper limit value of the numberof game media to be inserted for one game.
 9. A gaming machinecomprising: means for accumulatively counting a part of the number ofgame media to be paid out, the number being determined a according to alottery result; and means for paying out to a player the accumulativelycounted number of game media when the number of games played by theplayer reaches a predetermined set value.
 10. A game control methodcomprising: a step of accumulatively counting a part of the number ofgame media to be paid out, the number being determined a according to alottery result; and a step of paying out to a player the accumulativelycounted number of game media when the number of games played by theplayer reaches a predetermined set value.
 11. A game system equippedwith a gaming machine and a control device, wherein said control deviceincludes means for transmitting a signal to said gaming machine when thenumber of games played in said gaming machine by a player reaches apredetermined set value, and said gaming machine includes: means foraccumulatively counting a part of the number of game media to be paidout, the number being determined a according to a lottery result; andmeans for, according to the signal received from said control device,paying out to the player the accumulatively counted number of gamemedia.